The Meow Meows

The Meow Meows

The Meow Meows are a ska and soul group from Brighton, England. They form in summer 2005 and develop a style that combines traditional ska with soul, 1960s garage rock and roll, 1980s 2 Tone ska, and other influences.

Line-up and background

The group begins as an eight-piece act and later settles into a nine-member line-up that includes a three-piece horn section. Members and former members come from Ska Gal and the Hands of Ra, Muttly's Dastardly Skam, and Out of Luck. Alex D. Hay is listed among the members.

Activity and performances

The Meow Meows tour across the UK and Europe and play with a wide range of established acts, including The Skints, Reel Big Fish, The Temptations, The Beat, The Selecter, King Blues, Bad Manners, The Slackers, and The Aggrolites. They also take part in the 2010 London Brawling tour with The King Blues, Mouthwash and Moral Dilemma.

Recordings and collaborations

The band records its second album with reggae producer Prince Fatty. Their work is part of a live circuit built around ska, punk and soul, with the group described as having formed partly as a way to socialise on weeknights.

Notable events

In January 2007, guitarist Ben Auld dies. This becomes part of the band’s history as they continue with a changing line-up before settling into a more stable configuration.