Dumdums (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
The Dumdums (previously presented as Dum Dums) were a London-based British guitar-pop group. The band consisted of Josh Doyle (lead vocals, guitar), Steve Clarke (bass, backing vocals), and Stuart 'Baxter' Wilkinson (drums, backing vocals). They officially parted ways in August 2001.
Throughout their relatively short yet impactful tenure, Dumdums secured four UK Top 40 singles: "Everything," "Can't Get You Out of My Thoughts," "You Do Something To Me," and "Army of Two." Their live performances included high-profile appearances at venues such as Wembley Stadium alongside Bon Jovi, and Hyde Park where they shared the stage with artists like Elton John, Christina Aguilera, and Destiny's Child. After completing a sold-out final tour across the UK, the band dissolved while still enjoying considerable popularity.
Following the split, frontman and chief songwriter Josh Doyle moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He resurfaced in 2012 with a new musical project and released the single "Solarstorms." His debut performance in the United States on Jimmy Kimmel Live! was spotlighted by Billboard as a promising step toward international recognition.
Career
Established in 1997 shortly after finishing school, Dumdums cultivated their audience through persistent live shows and songwriting efforts. They initially signed with Modernwood Management before securing a recording contract with Wildstar Records in March 1999. Their initial UK tour involved supporting Modernwood’s artist Nik Kershaw, followed by a September stint opening for My Life Story. Early releases included a two-track CD featuring "Everything" and "Until My Ship Comes In."
Their debut single, "Everything," produced by Steve Power, was launched on 28 February 2000. It received substantial radio airplay, including on BBC Radio 1, and climbed to number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.
The second single, "Can't Get You Out of My Thoughts," came out on 26 June 2000 and reached number 18. Their first album, It Goes Without Saying, dropped on 18 September 2000 with production by Power. It earned positive critical comparisons to bands such as Green Day and Blink-182. The album comprised eleven tracks plus a hidden bonus track titled "Setting Sail."
Released one week prior to the album, the third single "You Do Something To Me" peaked at number 27. Its music video paid tribute to Queen’s "I Want to Break Free" and served as the theme for the CBBC program Xchange.
Dumdums supported prominent acts including Bon Jovi at Wembley Stadium and performed at major festivals like Glastonbury and T in the Park. In October 2000, they toured arenas as support for Robbie Williams, concluding the year with a headline tour ending at London’s Shepherd's Bush Empire.
Their television appearances featured shows such as The Big Breakfast, CD:UK, and The Pepsi Chart. Additionally, Doyle appeared as a guest panelist on BBC Two’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
The final single from their debut album, "Army of Two," was released on 5 February 2001 and matched earlier chart success by reaching number 27. Promotion for this release included acoustic sets performed in London, Birmingham, and Southampton. In 2001, their live schedule centered around University Summer Balls; they also toured Germany and Japan alongside Wheatus and The PeteBest. Notably, the single "Everything" entered the Top 20 charts in Japan.
During 2001, Dumdums recorded demos for a prospective second album over three sessions that produced nineteen tracks. Despite this momentum, the band collectively decided to disband, announcing their farewell performance at the Greenbelt Festival in August 2001. Their closing set featured a newly demoed track entitled "Travelling at Speed."
After the breakup, Doyle embarked on a solo career based in the United States while Wilkinson and Clarke formed a new band called Rogue States. In May 2018, Dumdums released an anthology of b-sides under their original name.
Singles
- 2000 – "Everything"
- 2000 – "Can't Get You Out of My Thoughts"
- 2000 – "You Do Something to Me"
- 2001 – "Army of Two"
EPs
- 2001 – Army of Two EP (exclusive to Japan)
Albums
- 2000 – It Goes Without Saying