Foals

This UK math rock unit was formed in Oxford in 2005 by Andrew Mears (guitar/vocals, also Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies), Yannis Philippakis (b. 23 April 1986, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; guitar/vocals), Jack Bevan (b. 4 October 1985, Wycombe, Leicestershire, England; drums), James Smith (b. 2 August 1984 Reading, Berkshire, England; guitar/keyboards), and Walter Gervers (b. 21 December 1983, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England; guitar). Several of the band members allegedly dropped out of Oxford University after their first year to pursue their music career, while Philippakis and Bevan had worked together previously in a band called the Edmund Fitzgerald. Mears left following the release of the band's April 2006 debut single "Try This On Your Piano" to concentrate on Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies, and was replaced in the line-up by Edwin Congreave (b. 9 June 1984 Leeds, Yorkshire, England; keyboards). In early 2007, they released a live EP through Transgressive Records, with songs such as "The French Open", "Hummer" and the heavily downloaded "Mathletics' showing the band to be an exciting prospect and an energetic live act. The Foals" fast beat-driven dance sound spliced with a dose of punk rock gained comparisons to bands such as the Rapture and Bloc Party. Their debut album Antidotes was released by Transgressive at the start of 2008. The band's provocative nature was confirmed by the absence of live favourites "Hummer" and "Mathletics", but the potential and ambition present on the new tracks marked Foals out as one of the year's brightest prospects.