Haunts (band)

Haunts
Haunts live at de-Affaire festival, Nijmegen
Background information
Origin	North London, Hertfordshire, England
Genres	Indie rock Rock
Years active	2006–2009
Labels	Black Records
Website	http://www.myspace.com/haunts http://www.myspace.com/hauntsremix
Past members	Banks Alex Woodcock Gareth Grover Mitch Mitchener

Haunts was a British rock band based in north London. Described as 'Noirists', their musical style combined elements of punk, new wave, dance, prog rock, indie and Britpop. The band referred to themselves simply as 'new wave'. Haunts' line-up consisted of Banks (vocals, guitar, synth), Alex Woodcock (guitar, backing vocals), Gareth Grover (drums, backing vocals) and Mitch Mitchener (bass guitar, backing vocals). Haunts disbanded in 2009.

Haunts formed in late 2006. Shortly after posting a demo of the song "Bomz II Drop" online, they received a request from Welsh band Lostprophets to support them at a sold out 'secret' show at London's Scala on 26 April 2007. This was followed by tours with Switches, The Sunshine Underground and Funeral For a Friend, as well as many low-key dates at indie club nights in London. Haunts made their first festival appearance on 24 June 2007 at London's Hyde Park Calling festival, which was headlined by Aerosmith.

Haunts released their debut single, "Low Slung City Skyline" through Grand Recordings in September 2007 on 7" vinyl. The single was limited to 500 pieces and featured unusually elaborate packaging. All musical and design production was done by the band themselves, a work ethic they persevered with on subsequent releases (Woodcock is a graduate of Chelsea College of Art & Design; Banks was an up-and-coming record producer, having just produced Gallows' critically acclaimed debut album Orchestra of Wolves). The single won BBC Radio 1's 'Fresh Meat' competition hosted by DJ Zane Lowe. After the single's release Haunts toured extensively on the club NME circuit and with indie rock band Boy Kill Boy.