The Cribs are an English 3-piece post-punk band from Netherton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The band consist of twins Gary and Ryan Jarman and their younger brother Ross Jarman.
The band have released 3 albums on the Wichita label - self titled debut The Cribs in 2004, The New Fellas in 2005 and Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever, which was recorded in Canada with Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand as producer. The album was released on May 21, 2007 and was preceded by a single, Men's Needs, on May 7, which reached #17.
Their song "Martell" from The New Fellas release was featured in the Canadian Telus Commercial, a series of commercials known for consistently featuring less mainstream yet iconic music ranging from Daft Punk to Supergrass.
Known for their raucous, unpredictable live shows the band have built-up a fanatical following due to a heavy touring schedule since the release of the first record. Their DIY ethic also led to them touring independently, when they were supposed to be off the road writing. Although this contributed to the bands success, and much larger venues, the band have always claimed to be more at home doing things in that way. On their first tour back after recording the third record in early 2007 the band returned to their roots and held some gigs in very small, intimate venues, including a show in their hometown at the Wakefield Escobar and another at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds (a venue they used to play at when they first started out). In June, they returned to Leeds at the climax of their full-size UK tour with two consecutive sold out nights at the University Refectory (the first band to do this since Ian Dury and the Blockheads 30 years ago).
In 2007 Lee Ranaldo from Sonic Youth collaborated with the band on their third album. The track "Be Safe" is a Ranaldo spoken word piece performed by the artist, and backed with The Cribs' music. They have a history of collaborations with artists such as Edwyn Collins (Orange Juice), Jon Slade (Huggy Bear, Comet Gain), Bobby Conn (Bobby Conn and The Glass Gypsies), Bernard Butler (Suede, McAlmont and Butler), Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse) and the aforementioned Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) and Alex Kapranos ( Franz Ferdinand). The band are currently collaborating with Johnny Marr (The Smiths) on a project that may yield an EP or possibly a full-length album.
In 2008, Q Magazine described the band as "The Biggest Cult Band in the UK"
The band appeared on Later with Jools Holland in May 2007, prior to the release of Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever, where they played the songs Men's Needs, Our Bovine Public and I'm a Realist. Men's Needs is the bands biggest hit to date, reaching number 17 in the UK charts. The track has also picked up many accolades, including being named 3rd best track of 2007 by NME, Track of the Year 2007 by the Metro paper and finishing in the 100 best tracks in Rolling Stone magazine in the USA.
Their song Hey Scenesters! was listed in NME's "50 Greatest Indie Anthems Of All Time". The band were one of only a few contemporary bands included in the list.
They appeared on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien on July 18, 2007, and on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on July 27, 2007.
Recently, the band supported the Sex Pistols at four of their five comeback concerts in Brixton in November. They were pelted with lager during the first night.
In November 2007, The Cribs were named as the headlining act of the highly-prestigious 2008 NME Awards Tour. They were nominated for four NME awards; Best British Band, Best Live Act, Best Track ("Men's Needs") and Hero Of The Year (Ryan Jarman), but won none of these awards.
In February 2008, they released I'm A Realist/Bastards of Young, the latter a cover of a song by The Replacements.
