UK indie pop outfit formed in the late 90s in Kingston, Surrey, by songwriters Paul Cook (vocals) and Gerard Gannon (guitar), who had originally met after their respective bands had played the same venue. The drummer in Cook’s band, Neil Kerly was persuaded to join the duo in their project, and after a few false starts bass player Stephen Friend was brought in to complete the line-up. The quartet initially failed to make much of an impact, struggling along on the live circuit before they came to the attention of seasoned A&R man Nick Stewart. The former U2 associate gained the Vessels a recording contract with BMG imprint, Gravity, and teamed up the quartet with former La’s engineer Mark Wallis as work commenced on their debut album. The Vessels crept out in autumn 2002 and steadily built up a solid press backing, with critics enamoured of the quartet’s harmony-led mixture of indie guitar pop and country rock.