After dealing with their own musical fledglings for a number of years, Hogg (guitars/vocals), Hugh (guitar), Bailey (bass), and Richy (drums) had a chance meeting on the top deck of 53 bus in early 2000. The foursome clicked instantly to form Hoggboy as well as a brooding, hazy rock sound. Music was also a way out of their native Sheffield; Hoggboy headed to London within a year and hooked up with Pulp's touring guitarist/former Longpigs member Richard Hawley for their debut single "So Young." "So Young" finally caught on in 2002 thanks to praise from BBC DJ Steve Lamacq. "Shouldn't Let the Side Down" followed that April as well as a tour of the U.K. Hoggboy's status was on fire and shared dates with the Strokes and the White Stripes allowed their name to soar within the indie rock community. Or 8?, which was produced by the famous Chris Thomas (the Sex Pistols, INXS, Elton John, Roxy Music), marked Hoggboy's studio full-length in fall 2002. ~ MacKenzie Wilson