Athlete biography

Deptford, in South London, isn’t known for much. Its bridge saw a battle back in 1497 but now, 500 years on, the only bridges worth talking about are those heard in the music of its most famous sons Athlete. The foursome – and indeed childhood friends – that are Carey Willets (bass), Joel Potts (vocals, guitar), Steve Roberts (drums), and Tim Wanstall (keyboards) formed in early 2000. Two years later, after extensive writing and recording, BBC Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley awarded their first release ‘Westside’ Record of the Week status. Soon after, the band signed to EMI, went Top 40 in the UK with ‘You’ve Got The Style’ and toured with label mates Mansun and the Electric Soft Parade. Mid-2003 saw debut album ‘Vehicles & Animals’ come out to critical acclaim and commercial success. The band seemingly gigged every night and was rewarded with a prestigious Mercury Music Award nomination for ‘Vehicles…’. Athlete used the same producer, Victor Van Vugt, (as well as John Cornfield) for their 2005 follow-up ‘Tourist’. Arguably bolder and more ambitious in scope and style, it helped secure a headlining slot at Glastonbury’s Other Stage this past summer. Athlete, as their name would so aptly suggest, look set to run and run.