The Minpins (Band)

"For the popular children's story by Roald Dahl, see The Minpins"Infobox musical artist
Name = The Minpins


Img_capt = The Minpins, by JB Cole [http://www.myspace.com/jb_cole] 2007.
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = London, England
Genre = Rock and Roll, Indie
Years_active = 2006 – Present
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Current_members = Joseph Donaldson William Donaldson Jamie Howes Ian Smart

The Minpins are an unsigned Pinner-based English band, formed in February 2006, with a rock and indie musical blend. In 2007 the band was nominated for the Harrow Youth Achievement Award, following positive reviews across the internet and print journalism industry [http://www.nme.com/newmusic/the-minpins] The Minpins on NME's breaking bands website] , most importantly with a six-page article in The Independent Newspaper on May 20th 2007 [http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/features/article2549880.ece] May 20th 2007: Independent 6 page article on The Minpins, entitled 'Too Cool For School'.] . The four-piece from Pinner, North West London, have played gigs alongside the likes of Lethal Bizzle, and most recently Kate Nash in Harrow's Trinity venue [http://www.nowerhill.harrow.sch.uk/july%20summer%202007.pdf The Minpins at The Under One Sky Gig In The Park Festival] . In addition, they have supported American band State Radio and Foals in two of many appearances at the Camden Barfly (club).

Band Members

The Minpins comprises four teenagers from Pinner, with frontman Joe and drummer William being brothers. Despite this, the pair have been known to foster creative differences, most prominently during a dispute in November 2007 which resulted in Joe fracturing his kneecap. Rhythm guitarist Ian is not only a musician but a pole vaulter and trains weekly. Jamie Howes [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=87477840] completes the line-up as bassist, also manifesting sporting inclinations having previously cycled for England. The four originally formed the band in February 2006 whilst Ian, Jamie and Joe (alongside former frontman James) were celebrating their High School Leaver's Ball. Following this pragmatic collaboration, Joe expeditiously penned a few songs, most importantly their stalwart rock anthem Asphalt Man, performed at their first ever gig, at Nower Hill Summer Extravaganza in July 2006.

Controversy

In early 2007, The Minpins faced uncertainty as they were forced to change their name from 'The Metro's' due to a dispute with another band of the same name [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=33662603] who were being signed to indie label '1965 records'. During this 2-month time of hiatus the band adopted a plethora of temporary names such as 'Metrose' and 'Metrobabys' [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=87960722] but finally settled upon 'The Minpins' ahead of their other potential name, 'Plus Size Models'. This was partly due to the latter already being taken by another artist [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=22229804] and partly due to 'The Minpins', a famous short story by Roald Dahl, being an inspiration to bass player Jamie Howes during his adolescence.

Following this difficult period, in September 2007 the Minpins faced disarray once again. After much deliberation, they went from a five-piece to a four-piece, abandoning their soul and funk grittyness to focus upon more guitar-orientated rock. This meant a parting of the ways with lead singer James Collins, at the same time losing songs like 'Alcohol' and the popular set opener 'The Metro's' from their repertoire. In his place, lead guitarist Joe Donaldson adopted the role of frontman and the band have experimented with more out and out indie/pop songs like 'Pass it On' and 'I'm Sure' since, particularly during a stint of performances at local Pub O' Flaherty's Lounge [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=142256382] and popular London venues such as Hope and Anchor, Islington [http://www.timeout.com/london/music/events/596861/the_cleshays_revolution_78_the_minpins_the_shapes.html] .

Influences

The four members each attribute responsibility to a variety of different bands for their musical aspirations. As the primary songwriter, frontman Joe Donaldson cites the important post-punk band Radiohead as the source of much of his inspiration, whilst fellow songwriter Jamie Howes, the bassist, considers The Rolling Stones as his main influence. Rhythm guitarist Ian Smart highlights popular metal band Metallica as shaping his musical sphere.

Videos

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBqQ2DUzvHE Mr Universe @ Bull and Gate in Kentish Town where Blur, Coldplay, The Libertines and The Manic Street Preachers have all played]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-KFfbxSXfU When In Rome @ Camden Barfly (club)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhRwdVTExk Asphalt Man @ The Enterprise in Chalk Farm, Camden]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xOanluHo9U An Avenue Away @ The Enterprise in Chalk Farm, Camden ]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lutU-zfDg0k Drama Queen @ The Enterprise in Chalk Farm, Camden]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HFDteYDxi4 Skinny Pandora @ The Enterprise in Chalk Farm, Camden]

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/theminpinsmusic myspace.com/theminpinsmusic]
* [http://www.nowerhill.harrow.sch.uk/ Nower Hill High School, the educational establishment attended by The Minpins]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jb_cole Website of band photographer JB Cole]
* [http://www.harrow.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=5 Review of the Under One Sky Festival 2007, played at by The Minpins alongside Lethal Bizzle on July 8th]