Biography

Before Moom, Northampton residents, Andy Fairclough (keyboards), Greg Myles (drums) and Jim Patterson (bass) were in a band called Medicinal Compound, whilst old school friend Kristian Hartridge (guitar, vocals) was based in Birmingham doing the odd bit of guitar and vocals for Omnia Opera connected Blim. When, in 1992, Kris decided to move back to Northampton and join up with his chums, guitarist Rob Falmer and Toby Kay (wibble noises) Moom was born and our story begins. Rob eventually left the band after numerous gigs, including a festival in Wales and a residency at the bands own Northampton club called "Psycles". By late 1993 Moom had saved up enough money to go into the local studio and record some material. As it happened the local Studio was owned by Robert John Godfrey of The Enid, and he was so taken with the bands sound that they managed, with his help, to record and mix a whole album in 9 days. The resulting tape "Helicopter Tortoise Collection" was sold to fans but remained so obscure that nobody outside of the local area knew anything about it. Through The Enid connection, Moom managed to get a gig at a London Festival in 1994 and as a result the band were featured in the Progressive Rock magazine "Progress". Delerium spotted the piece, wrote to the band, got hold of the tape and were promptly blown away. As a result the first tape by Moom "Toot" is a collection of the best tracks from that tape. Moom are a fusion of psychedelic, progressive and jazz styles with influences including The Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, Soft Machine and Miles Davis. The band seem to have magically tapped into the spirit of the 60s / 70s Canterbury sound, without having been influenced by it, and have updated it for the 90s. Living proof that good music is reborn. Now with another guitarist Mark the band are preparing to blow minds with their second album 'Bone Idol'.