UK indie rock band formed in 2002 by Rothwell, Leeds born teenagers Matt Bowman (vocals), Oliver Main (guitar), Ryan Wilson (guitar), Dave Best (bass) and Jimmi Naylor (drums). Meeting at school as young boys they dreamed of becoming footballers, and spent all of their spare time practising in the park. When one of the boys discovered a Beatles album, he convinced the others that being in a band would be better, so the football sessions were then replaced with band practice. They took influences from groups such as the Beatles, the Verve and Blur. Championed by UK-based DJs Steve Lamacq and Zane Lowe, the Pigeon Detectives started to gain momentum when signed to Leeds-based label Dance To The Radio. Their debut single, "I'm Not Sorry" in March 2006, stood out from other burgeoning pop rock bands with its infectious riffs and straight up lyrical flow. The follow-up, "You Know I Love You", bore similarities to the US rock band the Killers, not only in Bowman's delivery of the lyrics, but also in the song's uplifting feel. Support slots for fellow Leeds band the Kaiser Chiefs and Dirty Pretty Things, took their fanbase on to another level and stimulated music magazine NME to proffer the quote "indie pop perfection", when talking about the band.
The quintet's debut, Wait For Me, was released in May 2007 on Dance To The Radio. The album featured all of the single releases alongside several other well-constructed and infectious tracks. Not resting on their laurels, the band then returned to the studio with respected producer Stephen Street to record the 2008 follow-up Emergency.
