The Twang

{{Short description|English indie rock band}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = The Twang | background = group_or_band | image = The Twang ArtsFest.jpg | image_size = | caption = The Twang perform at ArtsFest in Birmingham | alias = | origin = [[Birmingham]], England | genre = [[Indie rock]] | years_active = 2004–present | label = [[B-Unique Records|B-Unique]] (UK), Jump the Cut Records, [[Arena Rock Recording Co.]] (US) | associated_acts = James Cast The Streets Shed Seven The Enemy | website = {{URL|https://www.thetwang.co.uk|Official website}} | current_members = Phil Etheridge Jon Watkin Ash Sheehan Stu Hartland | past_members = Martin Saunders Jimmy Jazz Baz Fratelli Matty Clinton Tommy Greaves Alex Godfrey Cat Mctigue Rio Hellyer }}

'''The Twang''' are an English [[indie rock]] band, formed in 2004 in [[Birmingham]]. The band have released five studio albums - ''[[Love It When I Feel Like This]]'' (2007), ''[[Jewellery Quarter (album)|Jewellery Quarter]]'' (2009), ''[[10:20 (The Twang album)|10:20]]'' (2012), ''[[Neon Twang]]'' (2014), ''If Confronted Just Go Mad'' (2019) and a B-sides compilation, ''[[Supscription (album)|Subscription]]'' (2017). Consisting of vocalist and guitarist Phil Etheridge, bassist Jon Watkin, guitarist Stu Hartland and drummer Ash Sheehan, the band garnered national acclaim when ''[[NME]]'' magazine produced an article on music acts in the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]]. The band's original line-up consisted of Etheridge and Saunders, Watkin, Hartland & Matty Clinton on drums.

The band's debut [[Single (music)|single]], "[[Wide Awake (The Twang song)|Wide Awake]]", was released on 19 March 2007, with their debut album ''[[Love It When I Feel Like This]]'' released on 4 June 2007. The album reached #3 in the UK charts.<ref>And was produced by Gavin Monaghan [http://www.ilikemusic.com/music_news/Rihanna_does_double_dominates_UK_charts-3767] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007095009/http://www.ilikemusic.com/music_news/Rihanna_does_double_dominates_UK_charts-3767|date=October 7, 2008}}</ref>

The Twang's second album, ''[[Jewellery Quarter (album)|Jewellery Quarter]]'', was released 3 August 2009 and reached #20 on the UK album chart. The album was produced by Neil Claxton of [[Mint Royale]] at Blueprint Studios in [[Salford, Greater Manchester|Salford]]. Third album ''[[10:20 (The Twang album)|10:20]]'' was released on 29 October 2012, reaching a chart placing of #52.

''[[Neon Twang]]'' was released on 10 March 2014. This was the last studio album to feature Martin Saunders, who left in 2018 after the Love It When I Feel Like This 10th anniversary tour, which saw the band play their debut album in full. The Twang announced their fifth studio album ''If Confronted Just Go Mad'' in November 2019, featuring new female backing singer Cat Mctigue.

== Biography == ===Formation and Neon Twang years (2004–2007)=== The band was formed in [[Quinton, Birmingham]] by singer (and then guitarist) Phil Etheridge and bassist Jon Watkin after the pair studied music technology together at Kidderminster College. They originally performed in and around Birmingham under the name "Neon Twang". During this period, Etheridge and Watkin often swapped instruments. The addition of guitarist Stu Hartland in late 2005 enabled Watkin to take over bass duties permanently and allowed Etheridge to perform live without playing guitar. The name Neon Twang was eventually dropped by the managers of the band, as the name had become notorious for fights at gigs {{Citation needed|reason=reads like band lore|date=September 2022}}, and a new name was needed to change the image of the band, so they became just 'The Twang'.

===''Love It When I Feel Like This'' (2007–2008)=== The Twang eventually signed to independent record label [[B-Unique]] in 2007. The label was also home to other bands including [[Kaiser Chiefs]], [[The Automatic]] and [[The Ordinary Boys]].

The band embarked on a 19 date tour in February and March 2007, starting at the Lucorum in Barnsley and ending at Carling Academy in their hometown of Birmingham.

Their debut single release, "Wide Awake" was released on 19 March 2007. The single reached number 15 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and was followed by the second single "[[Either Way (The Twang song)|Either Way]]" on 28 May 2007 which reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and is their biggest hit song to date. The single received heavy radio play and was championed by BBC Radio 1 DJs such as Edith Bowman, Jo Whiley and Chris Moyles.

In April 2007, the band received their first ''[[NME]]'' cover and two months later were the subject of a [[BBC Radio 1]] documentary. The band were hailed by the ''NME'' as "Britain's Best New Band" and won the Phillip Hall Radar Award at the 2007 [[NME Awards]]. They were invited to join [[James (band)|James]] on their UK tour in the same month, which saw them play at the 21,000 capacity [[Manchester Arena|Manchester Evening News Arena]]. The Twang toured the UK again in May 2007 starting on 8 May in Cardiff and finishing on 31 May in London.

Their debut album ''[[Love It When I Feel Like This]]'' was released on 4 June 2007. The record landed in the [[UK Album Chart]] at number 3. This was followed by slots at major festivals such as [[Wireless Festival]], [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]], [[T in the Park 2007|T in the Park]], [[Summer Sonic Festival|Summer Sonic]] in Japan, & [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]]. The Twang sold out many large venues on their autumn tour 2007, most notably the 5,000 capacity [[O2 Brixton Academy|Brixton Academy]]. Towards the end of 2007, the band released a new single "Two Lovers". The music video for which featured the band alongside actor [[Danny Dyer]] and actress [[Jaime Winstone]] as a pair of dysfunctional sweethearts. The band also toured extensively in 2008 and played [[V Festival]] on 16 and 17 August 2008.

The band also worked with [[The Streets]] on a remix of their hit single "Either Way", which featured rapper [[Professor Green]].

===''Jewellery Quarter'' (2009–2010)===

In January 2008, the Twang decamped to the isle of [[Anglesey]], where they hired a cottage and began writing for their second studio album ''[[Jewellery Quarter (album)|Jewellery Quarter]]''. The band have described this period as a magical time in their career. In March 2008, the band began recording the album in Granada, Spain with [[Killing Joke]] bassist and music producer, Youth. They completed the album the following month at ‘Blueprint Studio’s in Salford, with [[Mint Royale]]'s Neil Claxton. The album was named after [[Jewellery Quarter|the area in Birmingham]] in which the band were now resident. The artwork was the idea of critically acclaimed Wolverhampton artist Temper who, unknown to the band was also resident in the Jewellery Quarter. The Twang first showcased a number of new songs at the Rainbow, Birmingham on 22 May. "Another Bus" was the first new single from the album and was released by the band as a free download. Barney Rubble was the next single to follow, which reached #50 in the UK charts and featured a sample from classic 1990s dance track "Give It Up" by The Goodmen. The album was then released on 3 August 2009 and reached #20 in the UK charts.

Several of the band's songs have been used on various TV programmes. "Twit Twoo" was used on ''[[Match of the Day]]''. "Barney Rubble" was used on ITV when they showed the group standings and results after, before or at half-time in their football matches. "Back Where We Started" was used on ITV as part of their football shows/matches. "Reap What You Sow" and "Ice Cream Sundae" have also been used at various times on the [[BBC]].

The Twang toured the UK in the autumn of 2009 in support of Jewellery Quarter. The tour started in [[Crewe]] on 30 September, and ended in [[Middlesbrough]] on 19 October.

The band visited [[United States|USA]] for the first time in December 2009 and January 2010, and they played in [[Miami]], [[Florida]] & [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]].

===''Guapa EP'' and ''10:20'' (2011–2013)===

In January 2010, band announced that Stu Hartland would become a part-time member, but he still played with the band live. They enlisted new guitarist Jimmy Jazz (before Hartland became a full-time member of the band again in 2012).

In Summer 2010, The Twang began writing and recording new material with guitarist and producer Jon ‘Simmo’ Simcox. The band announced on 1 February 2011 via Facebook that they would be releasing a new EP titled ''Guapa'' on 14 February 2011. The physical release was limited to 1,000 copies. They joined [[Happy Mondays]]' lead singer [[Shaun Ryder]] on his solo tour in February 2011. Their Weekend Offender tour in September and October saw the band play cities such as Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and the tour ended in Manchester on 22 October.

They played [[V Festival]] on 18, 19 and 21 August 2012, the band announced that they would release their third album, entitled ''[[10:20 (The Twang album)|10:20]]'', on 29 October 2012. The title came from a note that an irate studio neighbour had left sellotaped to their studio door. The band also announced that original drummer Matty Clinton had left the band, and had been replaced by Ash Sheehan.<ref>[http://the-kaje.com/2012/08/20/news-the-twang-announce-new-tour-and-album/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928155014/http://the-kaje.com/2012/08/20/news-the-twang-announce-new-tour-and-album/|date=September 28, 2012}}</ref> 10:20 reached #52 in the charts, and featured singles such as "Paradise", "We're A Crowd" & "Mainline".

The Twang played the single "We're A Crowd" at the [[City of Manchester Stadium|Etihad Stadium]] on 9 March 2013 before the Manchester City v Barnsley FA Cup fixture. The Twang embarked on a co-headline tour with the band [[Cast (band)|Cast]] in April and May 2013, before their own short 7-date tour in September and October later in the year. The band ended the year with 2 intimate gigs in Birmingham on 22 and 23 December.

===''Neon Twang'' (2014–2016)=== On 14 January 2014, the band announced the album ''[[Neon Twang]]'', which was released on 10 March 2014, again via Jump the Cut Records. The title refers to the band's previous name when starting out. On the same day they revealed a new video for single "Larry Lizard" to support the LP.<ref>Miller, George. "[http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/163927-twang-announce-album-n-e-o-n.html The Twang announce new album N E O N T W A N G and premiere new video]". Altsounds.com, 15 January 2014.</ref> The band also started working with fellow Birmingham based, [[Wide Eyed (band)|Wide Eyed]] guitarist Tommy Greaves who was to accompany them on their February 2014 Tour, which saw them play at smaller, more intimate venues. The singles "The Wobble" and "New Love" were also released. The Twang joined [[The Libertines]] at [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] in [[London]] for their big reunion show on 5 July. They ended the year by joining [[The Enemy (UK rock band)|The Enemy]] on a 12-date co-headline tour in December.

The Twang played fewer shows in 2015, including a gig with [[The Wonder Stuff]] in [[Wolverhampton]] on 5 July, and a show at [[O2 Academy Birmingham]] on 19 December.

The band supported [[Ocean Colour Scene]] at their [[Moseley Park]] shows, along with [[Reverend and The Makers]], and [[The Sherlocks]] on 15 & 16 July 2016. The Twang released a Christmas single, "On the 24th", on 1 December, which was their first release in over 2 years. They played [[O2 Academy Leicester]] and [[O2 Academy Birmingham|O2 Academy]] in their hometown Birmingham on 16 & 17 December respectively.

===''Love It When I Feel Like This'' 10th Anniversary Tour (2017–2018)=== On 2 May 2017, the band announced a new tour to mark the 10 year anniversary of their seminal debut album Love It When I Feel Like This. The tour consisted of 11 dates across the UK in November/December 2017 and saw the band perform the album in its entirety for the first time ever. The tour started in [[Bournemouth]] on 29 November and ended in Birmingham on 23 December, however a rescheduled show in Liverpool on 20 January meant the tour included one final show in 2018.

The Twang released a 16-track best of album called Either Way, It's The Best Of The Twang in early November 2017, and a b-sides compilation entitled Subscription later in the month.

However, in September 2018, the band announced via social media that singer Martin Saunders was to leave the band, which meant Phil Etheridge took up a full-time solo singing role. The band played at [[Castlefield Bowl]] on 29 June, supporting [[Shed Seven]].

The Twang played 5 dates in December 2018 in Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Glasgow, as part of their annual Christmas shows. The band hinted after these dates that new material was imminent.

=== ''If Confronted Just Go Mad'' (2019-present) === In February 2019, The Twang announced that they were to support Shed Seven on their mammoth 23-date Shedcember UK tour, including a show at Leeds [[First Direct Arena]] on 7 December. On May 13, the band announced on social media that they were releasing their first record in 5 years, titled '[[If Confronted, Just Go Mad|If Confronted Just Go Mad]]', which was released on 8 November 2019.

They also released a new single “Everytime” on Friday 17 May. This single signalled a slight change in style for the band, as it was more pop-orientated, and the verses are split between new singer Cat Mctigue and Etheridge on lead vocals. The single however received positive reviews.

Their first show of 2019 was in Warrington at [[Neighbourhood Weekender]] on 25 May. They showcased more new material at the Borderline in [[London]] on 28 May, before they played at the Ural Music Night in [[Yekaterinburg]], [[Russia]] on 28 June. The Twang returned to Godiva Festival in Coventry for the first time in 10 years, before supporting Doves in Brighton (along with [[The Coral]] & Feeder) and in Birmingham (with [[Johnny Marr]] & The Coral). On 1 August the band were announced to play the Neighbourhood Festival in [[Manchester]] on 12 October, and their second single from the upcoming album, "Dream" was released on 2 August. They ended their run of summer festivals by supporting [[Kaiser Chiefs]] in Leicester and playing [[Victorious Festival]] in Portsmouth. The third single from the new album, a cover of [[The Blue Nile (band)|The Blue Nile]]'s 'Tinseltown in the Rain' was released on 18 September. The band were then added to the 2Q Festival in Lincoln on 9 November, and they also announced their annual Christmas Birmingham show at [[Digbeth Institute|O2 Institute]] on 22 December, before a second date was announced on the 23rd after the first night sold out.

== Discography ==

===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]] |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]] <ref name="UK">Peaks in the UK: *For all except noted: {{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/2178/twang/|title=Twang|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=14 August 2025}} * "Lost My Smile": {{cite web|url=https://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_T.HTM|title=Chart Log UK: DJ T - Tzant|website=Zobbel.de|access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]] <ref name="UK" /> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Irish Albums Chart|IRE]] <ref name="Ireland">{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Twang|title=Discography The Twang|website=irish-charts.com|access-date=14 August 2025}}{{dead link|date=February 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|SCO]] <ref name="UK" /> |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Love It When I Feel Like This]]'' | * Released: 4 June 2007 * Label: [[B-Unique Records|B-Unique]] * Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[LP record|LP]], [[Music download|digital download]] | 3 || 39 || 74 || 3 | * [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]: Gold<ref name="BPI">{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=The Twang|access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Jewellery Quarter (album)|Jewellery Quarter]]'' | * Released: 3 August 2009 * Label: B-Unique * Formats: CD, LP, digital download | 20 || 16 || — || 39 | |- ! scope="row"| ''[[10:20 (The Twang album)|10:20]]'' | * Released: 29 October 2012 * Label: Jump The Cut * Formats: CD, LP, digital download | 52 || 12 || — || 51 | |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Neon Twang]]'' | * Released: 10 March 2014 * Label: Jump The Cut * Formats: CD, LP, digital download | 57 || 10 || — || 96 | |- ! scope="row"| ''If Confronted Just Go Mad'' | * Released: 8 November 2019 * Label: Jump The Cut * Formats: CD, LP, digital download | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|''If Confronted Just Go Mad'' did not enter the UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 69 on the UK Albums Sales Chart.<ref name="UK" />}} || 15 || — || — | |- | colspan="14" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===Compilations=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]] <ref name="UK" /> |- ! scope="row"| ''Either Way, It's the Best of The Twang'' | * Released: 3 November 2017 * Label: Jump The Cut * Formats: CD, LP, digital download | 13 |- ! scope="row"| ''Subscription'' | * Released: 17 November 2017 * Label: Jump The Cut * Formats: CD, LP, digital download | — |- | colspan="14" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===EPs=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of EPs, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK Phys.]] <ref name="UK" /> |- ! scope="row"| ''Guapa'' | * Released: 14 February 2011 * Label: Jump The Cut * Formats: CD, digital download | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Amsterdam'' | * Released: 28 February 2020 * Label: Jump The Cut * Formats: 10", digital download | 3 |- | colspan="14" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] <ref name="UK" /> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]] <ref name="UK" /> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[European Hot 100 Singles|EU]] <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=European+Hot+100+Singles&pageNumber=Top+11-50&g=Singles |title=Billboard.com - Charts - Singles - European Hot 100 Singles |access-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622182743/http://www.billboard.com:80/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=European+Hot+100+Singles&pageNumber=Top+11-50&g=Singles |archive-date=22 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|SCO]] <ref name="scottish-singles">Peak chart positions for singles in Scotland: * "Wide Awake": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20070325/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=14 August 2025}} * "Either Way": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20070609/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=14 August 2025}} * "Two Lovers": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20070902/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=14 August 2025}} * "Push the Ghosts": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20071202/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=14 August 2025}} * "Barney Rubble": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20090802/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Wide Awake" | rowspan="4"| 2007 | 15 || — || — || 5 | rowspan="4"| ''Love It When I Feel Like This'' |- ! scope="row"| "[[Either Way (The Twang song)|Either Way]]" | 8 || — || 27 || 6 |- ! scope="row"| "Two Lovers" | 34 || — || — || 22 |- ! scope="row"| "Push the Ghosts" / "Drinking in L.A" | 63 || — || — || 19 |- ! scope="row"| "Another Bus" | rowspan="3"| 2009 | — || — || — || — | rowspan="3"| ''Jewellery Quarter'' |- ! scope="row"| "Barney Rubble" | 59 || — || — || 13 |- ! scope="row"| "Encouraging Sign" | — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Paradise" | 2011 | — || — || — || — | rowspan="3"| ''10:20'' |- ! scope="row"| "We're a Crowd" | rowspan="2"| 2012 | — || 46 || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Mainline" | — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Sheep" | 2013 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Sheep" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 70 on the UK Physical Singles Chart.<ref name="UK" />}} || — || — || — | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Larry Lizard" | rowspan="3"| 2014 | — || — || — || — | rowspan="3"| ''Neon Twang'' |- ! scope="row"| "The Wobble" | — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "New Love" | — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "On the 24th" | 2016 | — || — || — || — | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Everytime" / "Dream" | rowspan="2"| 2019 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Everytime" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the UK Physical Singles Chart.<ref name="UK" />}} || — || — || — | rowspan="2"| ''If Confronted Just Go Mad'' |- ! scope="row"| "It Feels Like (You're Wasting My Time)" / "[[Tinseltown in the Rain]]" | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"It Feels Like (You're Wasting My Time)" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the UK Physical Singles Chart.<ref name="UK" />}} || — || — || — |- | colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

===Other charted songs=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] <ref name="UK" /> |- ! scope="row"| "Lost My Smile" | 2007 | 193 | "Either Way" single |}

==Notes== {{notelist-ua}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090712025541/http://www.thetwang.co.uk/ Official Website] *[https://setlist.fm/stats/the-twang-2bd7a812.html setlist.fm page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Twang}} [[Category:English indie rock groups]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 2004]] [[Category:Arena Rock Recording Company artists]] [[Category:Musical groups from Birmingham, West Midlands]]