Doves

Doves are an English indie rock band from Handforth, United Kingdom. The group consists of Jimi Goodwin, Andy Williams and Jez Williams. Their sound combines alternative rock, indie rock and related styles including alternative dance, dream pop and experimental rock.

Formation and earlier years

The band begins as Sub Sub in 1988, a dance act connected to the Manchester rave scene and the rise of the Hacienda. Under that name, they achieve moderate success for seven years, including the UK top three single “Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)”. A studio fire in 1996 destroys their recordings and becomes a turning point in the group’s history. They adopt the name Doves in 1998.

Line-up and live performance

Doves consist of Jimi Goodwin on vocals and bass, Andy Williams on drums, and Jez Williams on guitar. Both Williams brothers also sing lead vocals on some material. Martin Rebelski plays keyboards on stage with the band.

Albums and singles

Their first album, Lost Souls, is released in 2000 and reaches number 13 in the UK. It includes the singles “The Cedar Room”, “Catch The Sun” and “The Man Who Told Everything”. Their second album, The Last Broadcast, reaches number 1 in the UK and includes “There Goes The Fear”, which reaches number 3, along with “Pounding” and “Caught By The River”. The album is followed by commercial and critical success and is known for a spacious, euphoric sound.

The third album, Some Cities, arrives in 2005 and reaches number 1 in the UK. It includes the top 10 single “Black & White Town” and returns to a more claustrophobic sound than the previous record.

Kingdom of Rust follows in 2009, and The Places Between appears as a greatest hits collection. EMI International later issues 5 Album Set, which includes the studio albums from Lost Souls to Kingdom of Rust and the 2003 reissue of Lost Sides.

Other projects and collaborations

Before Doves, Jimi Goodwin plays bass for Electronic on their 1999 album Twisted Tenderness, alongside Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr. Jez Williams plays guitar on Saint Etienne’s Good Humor (1998), Sound of Water (2000) and Finisterre (2002). In 2014, Jimi Goodwin releases a solo album, Odludek. Jez and Andy Williams also form Black Rivers, which releases a self-titled album in 2015.

Later activity

The band returns with live shows in 2019 after a period away from recording. In 2020, Doves release “Carousels” and “Prisoners”, which appear on The Universal Want. That album reaches number 1 in the UK. In 2021, the band cancels tour dates because of Jimi Goodwin’s mental health.