51/50s are a British rock band from London, formed in 2007 and active since then. The name is pronounced “fifty-one-fifties”. The group’s core sound is described as indie rock and rock, with rock ’n’ roll as a main influence, alongside references to artists such as the Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, Thin Lizzy and Oasis.

Formation and early development

The band’s founder and lead singer, Rikki Lee, starts writing songs after personal experiences of homelessness and life on the streets. Among the early songs associated with him are “Lies” and “Hypnotised”, which draw directly on those experiences. An early version of the group appears in London in 2004 under a different name. A second line-up comes together in September 2006, when Billy and Jason join. After that, the band rehearse intensively and begin playing live across the UK.

Membership

The line-up settles into its current form after Ollie, a close friend of Billy and Jason, joins the group. The listed members are Rikki-Lee on vocals, Ollie Cook on guitars, Billy Baker on drums and Jason Gale on bass.

Funding and recording

In September 2007, the band becomes one of the first acts to be financed through Slicethepie, a fan-funding service that allows artists to raise money directly from listeners in order to record and release material professionally. The group raises £15,000 from fans and follows this with a period of heavy gigging, writing and rehearsal.

Style and influences

51/50s draw on several rock traditions, but their main stated basis is straightforward rock ’n’ roll. Their music sits within indie rock and rock, with influence from classic and contemporary British and American rock acts.