Howards Alias
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Southampton , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Howards Alias emerged from the UK underground punk scene in 1999, originating in Southampton, England. Their music was a fusion of rock, progressive elements, punk, and ska. The group officially dissolved in April 2008.
Throughout their career, they produced four studio albums: The Chameleon Script (2002) under Good Clean Fun Records, followed by two releases through Household Name Records in 2004 and 2005, and ultimately their final self-issued album, [ep.i.phan.ic], in 2008. Additionally, they collaborated on a split EP with the Californian band Desa and appeared on multiple international punk compilations.
Initial period (1999–2005)
Howards Alias formed in late 1999 with an initial focus on ska-punk. Founder Matthew Reynolds introduced the term "Howard" to characterize both the band and its evolving musical style, highlighting their fluid approach to genre boundaries. By the time of their debut album The Chameleon Script in 2002, their sound had developed beyond conventional third-wave ska, earning critical praise including four "K"s from Kerrang! magazine.
They embarked on extensive tours alongside bands such as Lightyear, Captain Everything!, No Comply, Sonic Boom Six, Desa, and Rx Bandits, whose influence became increasingly apparent in their subsequent work.
In early 2004, the band recorded three tracks for a split EP with Desa, signaling a departure from their ska roots. This evolution was firmly established with the release of The Answer Is Never later that year, which critics lauded as "a masterpiece" and "one of the finest British rock albums ever produced."
Drummer Jevon Snell left in early 2005, replaced by Jon Warren. The band then recorded their next album Beat Heart, Beat, released in July 2005. This record represented a natural continuation from its predecessor and received predominantly favorable reviews. The inclusion of Nicholas Horne's keyboard work enriched their sound, though some original fans felt alienated by the move further away from ska-punk foundations.
Hiatus and lineup changes (2005–2007)
The demands of extensive touring placed strain on the group’s cohesion, resulting in bassist Stevie and drummer Jon departing following the Beat Heart, Beat tour. Guitarist and vocalist Matthew Reynolds announced the band’s dissolution via their website and MySpace page. Producer Peter Miles took over bass duties while friend Lloyd Williams filled in on drums for a farewell tour.
Reynolds cited financial difficulties and instability as key reasons for disbanding: relentless touring with minimal income, poor financial management, and lack of stable living arrangements for members generated unsustainable pressure. After completing a final tour in July 2005, Howards Alias officially ended activities in October 2005 with a concluding performance at The Nexus club in their hometown of Southampton, UK.
Thinkpol
In January 2006, Matthew Reynolds initiated Thinkpol, a new venture featuring a more accessible rock style. The lineup included Matthew and Andrew Reynolds, Peter Miles (later succeeded by Nicholas Horne from NoComply), and Robert King. Thinkpol released two demo CDs containing three tracks each and intended to produce a full-length album. An unreleased Thinkpol song titled "Cough It Up" was originally planned for Howards Alias’s fourth album [ep.i.phan.ic], but ultimately did not appear.
Reformation (2006–2008)
On 25 September 2006, Thinkpol declared via Myspace that the band had ceased activities, which opened the door for Howards Alias to regroup with fresh additions: Matthew Roberts, formerly of NoComply, on saxophone, and Rob King, previously with Thinkpol, taking over on drums.
During the summer of 2007, Howards Alias unveiled three new songs—"Wot 'Ave You," "Swansong," and "Spilt Milk"—through their Myspace page. Shortly thereafter, they confirmed intentions to record their fourth studio album, provisionally titled [ep.i.phan.ic], including tracks like "What A View" (a renamed version of "Wot 'Ave You"), "Big Brains," "Long Haul," and "Cough It Up," a previously unrecorded piece from the Thinkpol era. The band performed three shows in late October before commencing studio sessions.
By December, it was announced that [ep.i.phan.ic] was set for a March 2008 release.
Second breakup (2008–present)
On 15 April 2008, Matthew Reynolds made public the definitive end of Howards Alias. Earlier that year, drummer Robert King departed to explore other ventures, while saxophonist Matthew Roberts left after touring with Foals and transitioning into tour management. With these key departures, remaining members Reynolds, Nicholas Horne, and David Ransom concluded that finding suitable replacements was unfeasible.
Although disbanded, the group issued a limited edition of one thousand copies of [ep.i.phan.ic], which were available for pre-order through Myspace.
Skylar
Skylar is a side project blending reggae and traditional ska styles, established in March 2004 by four members of Howards Alias, including original drummer Jon Warren. Conceived as a platform for Matthew Reynolds’ compositions that did not align with Howards Alias' sound, all songwriting and lyrics are credited to Reynolds.
Their eponymous debut album was recorded within eleven hours by Peter Miles and initially self-released with minimal packaging. It was subsequently remixed and reissued with bonus tracks by Do The Dog Music in April 2006.
In December 2006, Skylar supported the well-known reggae collective Easy Star All-Stars and have since been working on their sophomore album.
Drawings
Drawings is an indie/alternative/post-punk ensemble formed in late 2008 by former Howards Alias members Matthew Reynolds and David Ransom, accompanied by Aaron Graham on drums. The band mainly performed around Southampton and recorded demos at Holne Bridge studios alongside producer Peter Miles for upcoming releases.
Since forming, Drawings have released several singles on Myspace for streaming and free download, including "Sick to My Heart" and "Friends" in 2008, followed by "Sore Thumb" and "Wallpaper" in 2009.
On 15 August 2009, Drawings released their debut EP titled The Seven Deadly Sins and supported it with a headline show in Southampton. The EP was self-recorded and produced by the band, with mixing and mastering handled by Peter Miles. This concept record features songs named after each of the seven deadly sins, representing Matthew Reynolds’ personal reflections on these themes.
Members
- Matthew Reynolds – guitar, vocals
- Nick Horne – trombone, keyboard, trumpet, backing vocals
- Matthew Roberts – tenor saxophone, backing vocals
- Robert King – drums
- David 'Ranny' Ransom – bass
Former members
- Christopher Murphy (1999–2002) – bass guitar
- Rob Griffin (1999–2003) – trumpet
- Jevon Snell (2001–2005) – drums
- Stevie McCusker (2002–2005) – bass guitar
- Jon Warren (2005) – drums
- Lloyd Williams (2005) – drums
- Peter Miles (2005, 2006–2007) – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Liddle (2007) – bass guitar
Albums
- The Chameleon Script (Good Clean Fun Records, 2002)
- The Answer Is Never (Household Name Records, 2004)
- Beat Heart, Beat (Household Name Records, 2005)
- [ep.i.phan.ic] (self-released, 2008)
EPs
- Howards Alias (self-released, 2000)
- Howards Alias vs. Identity#1 (collaboration with Identity No. 1) (self-released, 2001)
- The Split E.P. (split release with Desa) (Good Clean Fun Records, 2004)
- Howards Alias (Demo) (self-released, 2007)