The Wildhearts

Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1989 around Ginger after his departure from The Quireboys, The Wildhearts established themselves on the British rock scene with a blend of hard rock, punk rock and power pop, driven by thick guitars, taut tempos and a strong sense of vocal melody. Active intermittently since their beginnings, The Wildhearts have undergone numerous lineup changes and several splits, with Ginger remaining the main anchor of a frequently reassembled band. After the EPs Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go and Don’t Be Happy... Just Worry in 1992, The Wildhearts released Earth vs the Wildhearts in 1993 and P.H.U.Q. in 1995, where pop choruses, massive riffs and punk energy coexist. Endless, Nameless in 1997 hardened the sound further with a more abrasive approach, before a return in the early 2000s with The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed (2003) and The Wildhearts (2007). The band's trajectory also includes regular tours in the UK and Japan and several incarnations featuring members such as C.J., Danny McCormack, Ritch Battersby, Jon Poole and Scott Sorry. Musicians like Devin Townsend and Willie Dowling have also orbited around The Wildhearts, whose Chutzpah! (2009) continued the balance between rock tension and melodic songwriting.