The Bees

The Bees

The Bees are an indie rock and indie pop group from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. They are also known in the United States as A Band of Bees, a name used because of a rights conflict with another act using the same name. The group is active from 2001 and is made up of Kris Birkin, Paul Butler, Michael Clevitt, Aaron Fletcher, Warren Hampshire and Tim Parkin.

Background and style

The band forms in 2000 and builds a sound that looks back to 1960s and 1970s pop, with psychedelic elements and a strong emphasis on analogue recording. Their music draws on soul, reggae, funk and Motown, and their stated influences include Curtis Mayfield, Burt Bacharach, Manfred Mann from the Up the Junction period, The Kinks and Small Faces. They use vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass, drums and trumpet across the lineup, and their recordings include prominent Hammond organ, harmonies and a bouncy, melodic feel.

Recording and early releases

The Bees record their albums in analogue. Their debut album is recorded in a garden shed, which becomes one of the best-known details associated with the group. Aaron Fletcher plays bass, Paul Butler handles vocals, keyboards and guitars, Kris Birkin plays guitar, Tim Parkin plays trumpet, Michael Clevitt plays drums and Warren Hampshire plays keyboards.

Name and identity

The band’s US name, A Band of Bees, distinguishes them from other groups using the name The Bees. They are an Isle of Wight band from the south coast of England, and their work is often described in terms of retro pop, psychedelic sounds and organic studio methods.