GoodBooks

GoodBooks are an English indie rock band from Sevenoaks, Kent. The group forms out of earlier school connections at Sevenoaks School, where Max and Leo join with Chris and JP in 2001 to form The Fingerprints. Before that, Max and Leo play Beatles covers together in an attic, and Max’s mother teaches Chris at primary school.

Early years as The Fingerprints

As The Fingerprints, the band self-records two albums, Cards on the Table, Clothes on the Floor and Miranda. During this period they build a local following through regular gigs in the South-East, including shows at the Tunbridge Wells Forum, and they attract radio play for tracks such as “Tangerine” on BBC Radio Kent and KMFM. The group also performs in front of 8,000 people at one Christmas event. The Fingerprints end in late 2004 after their then-bassist leaves.

GoodBooks and record releases

The band continues as a four-piece under the name GoodBooks and writes “Walk With Me” on the day of their first rehearsal. Their sound becomes more electronic in influence, and material from the Valves and Robots EP includes “Passchendaele” and “Isabella”. The self-published EP brings them wider attention in June 2005.

GoodBooks sign to Transgressive Records in late 2005 for a one-off single and release “Walk With Me” as their debut single on that label, issued on 7-inch vinyl and cassette. The single is later re-recorded. The band then signs to Columbia Records in 2006 and releases the singles “Turn it Back” and “Leni” later that year. Their debut album, Control, follows in 2007.

Live work and later years

GoodBooks tour widely in the UK and play supporting shows with Art Brut, as well as a date with The Magic Numbers in Sweden. They also appear at the Carling Reading and Leeds Festivals, Truck Festival and Glastonbury, including a final set on the John Peel Stage on 28 June 2009. The band splits after that performance.

Members

GoodBooks consist of Max Cooke on vocals and guitar, Chris Porter on vocals and bass, JP Duncan on keys, and Leo von Bülow-Quirk on drums.