The Leeds Gig Guide

Band Biography for the nightjars:

The Nightjars were from Manchester, England. The line-up was Ollie Wright on bass guitar and vocals, Phil Arnold on guitar and vocals and Seamus O'Kane on drums. They split in January 2010.

The group formed in January 2005, when Wright and Arnold, childhood friends, recruited O'Kane and guitarist Dan Sims. The Nightjars quickly gained a reputation for fiery live shows, helped by a 90-minute improvised show as backing band for the legendary CAN vocallist Damo Suzuki at Manchester's Night & Day Cafe.

A demo was produced with the help of Manchester group Polytechnic and in early 2006, the group entered Amplisound Studio, Stockport, emerging with three tracks produced by Robin Housman. Two of these, 'Cease To Exist' and 'Disabuse' embodied the band's first single, released on Kiss of Death / Reveal Records in December 2006.

The mini album 'Towards Light' was released on 5th November 2007 by Reveal Records - its seven tracks were produced by Kramer (Shimmydisc Records owner, who has previously worked with Galaxie 500, Low, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers and Bongwater).

In May 2009, the group released their first full album, 'The Nightjars'. The group took over production duties themselves, although the record was mastered by Kramer. After the completion of the record, founder member Sims left the group, who decided to continue as a three-piece.

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