The Rumble Strips

The Rumble Strips

The Rumble Strips are a British group from Tavistock, Devon, active from 2004 to 2009. Their sound combines elements of blue-eyed soul, indie pop and northern soul, alongside ska, pop, rockabilly and trumpet-led arrangements.

Line-up

The group comprises Sam Mansbridge, Henry Clark, Tom Gorbutt, Charlie Waller and Matthew Wheeler. Charlie Waller handles lead vocals and guitar; Tom Gorbutt plays saxophone, provides vocals and bass; Henry Clark plays trumpet, vocals and piano; Sam Mansbridge plays bass, vocals and the “Rumble Drum”; and Matthew Wheeler plays drums.

Releases and activity

The Rumble Strips release their debut album, Girls and Weather, in 2007. The album is made with Tony Hoffer, who also works with acts including The Kooks and The Fratellis. Earlier releases include the single “Motorcycle”, first issued in 2005 and re-released in 2007, “Hate Me (You Do)” in 2006, the EP Cardboard Coloured Dreams in 2006, and “Alarm Clock” in 2007. “Alarm Clock” receives radio play on BBC Radio 1, Virgin Radio and MTV2’s Spanking New Music. “Girls and Boys in Love” is also released as a single and appears in the films Run Fat Boy Run and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.

Touring and appearances

The band tours with The Zutons, Good Shoes, Dirty Pretty Things and The Young Knives, and plays festivals including Glastonbury 2007 and Cardiff Calling 2007. It also undertakes an album tour across venues in the UK and Ireland, including a date in Tavistock.

Other details

Lead singer Charlie Waller also performs in Vincent Vincent and the Villains for a period while he is active with The Rumble Strips. The band later moves to London to continue its career and is associated with a release through Transgressive.