Indie Brit Pop: Yeti

History

Yeti are an English rock band founded in 2004 by John Hassall, formerly of The Libertines. Hassall met Brendan Kersey, Andrew Deian and Mark Underwood (formerly Harmony Williams) through mutual friends, and the line-up was completed when drummer Graham Blacow responded to a classified ad. The band is based in North London.

Sound

Yeti began with Hassall as the main songwriter, but soon Underwood started writing and singing a few of his own (including lead-off track on One Eye On The Banquet, "The Last Time You Go" and fans' favourite "Insect-Eating Man"), while Deian has also penned several tracks, including their latest single "Don't Go Back To The One You Love" and "Jermyn Girls". The band plays acoustic driven beat pop with a psychedelic 60's flavour and strong three-part harmonies. Each band member brings his own influences into the Yeti sound: Hassall is renowned for his love for The Beatles, Underwood is well-versed in musical theater, Deian brings a touch of Western Psychedelia with his electric guitar, and Blacow provides some 70s punch in the Zeppelin mold. Critics have compared the band's sound to "early" Beatles, The La's, The Kinks, The Byrds, The Coral, The Zombies, Love and early "pre-Rough Trade" Libertines.

Releases, press and performances

Their debut single "Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder" was released in March 2005 and reached number 36 in the British charts after reaching number 25 in the midweek charts. It was named "Single Of The Week" by NME [1] "Keep Pushin' On" was released on August 29, 2005 under Moshi Moshi Records and reached #57.
The band has also been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Arena, GQ, Spin [2], Dazed & Confused and Clash.
In December 2005 Yeti played "Noise and Confusion 05" - their biggest show to date - at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium, opening for Oasis and Foo Fighters. This was followed by a string of supporting shows on Oasis's European Tour in February 2006. Then the band withdrew into semi-mythical obscurity after a lengthy legal battle with crooked management.[citation needed]
Yeti featured in the 2006 Fall/Winter advertising campaign for Italian fashion label "Energie".
Yeti returned to action at the end of October 2006 and released a limited edition EP, One Eye on the Banquet, playing a series of small gigs within the UK throughout the final months of 2006.

Members