The Bishops

It might be 2006 but don’t tell The Bishops that! The London based trio is stuck in some kind of time trap set to the year 1965! One listen to their new EP, The Only Place To Look Is Down, will drive this concept home. Their throwback qualities are a definite point of strength for the band. It turns out that they ARE writing songs like they used to after all!

The young band formed in late 2004 when twin brothers, Pete (bass + vocals) and Mike (guitar + vocals), met Scottish drummer Chris McConville at their neighborhood pub, The King’s Head, where the fellow musician was working. The three figured out they shared an affinity for 60’s guitar groups and soon after The Bishops was formed. The brothers’ knack for melody and harmony meshed well with McConville’s hyper-energetic drumming style and they began banging out ideas immediately.

After playing a handful of club dates, The Bishops were offered a deal with the UK’s 1234 Records and a couple of EP’s were released that caused some waves across the pond. The NME, XFM, I-D and Virgin Radio all supported the boys and soon after promoters started ringing them! The trio hit the festival circuit and played for crowds throughout Europe most of 2006. Their look and sound set them apart from the flock and fan reaction was so strong that the music blogs in the states started talking.

In late August 2006, The Bishops signed a US deal with new indie label, IAMSOUND Records out of Hollywood, California. The first offering under this new deal is the The Only Place I Can Look Is Down EP which will be released in December 2006. With hook-fests like “Menace About Town” and the urgent “In The Night,” the disc is a perfect way to first experience these London lads! With a planned trip to the South By Southwest music conference in 2007 and college radio buzzing, it looks like it might be 1965 all over again!