"South London electro artonistas give good, jumpy, pumpy bass-tastic singalong fest" NME

November 2004 and five fellow art students and friends book a local south London rehearsal place. With only fragmented ideas for songs and no idea who was going to play what, only one thing was sure; they were going to get a demo done by Christmas and start gigging early 2005. After agreeing on a final line up - Jamie Blanco (lead vocals/bass), Chris Tirrell (guitar/backing vocals), Sam Nias (guitar), James Woodley (drums) and Ted Pearce (keyboards/vocals) - Roland Shanks was formed.

Fast forward one year and Roland Shanks have just released their second single. Having played regular slots at Club Fandango, Brixton's Windmill, Herne Hill's Half Moon, Camden Barfly and New Cross' Montague Arms as well as supporting some of the most prolific bands of the year; Clor, The Blood Arm, Stars, Editors and We Are Scientists it's been pretty hard to avoid them on the live scene this year. We Are Scientists loved them so much they invited them along for their whole UK tour and even made a habit of joining them onstage.

Fuelled by an enthusiasm for innovative artists such as Talking Heads, Prince, The Cure and The Rapture, Roland Shanks' reputation grew at the same speed as their fanbase. Being the first to admit they wear their influences on their sleeve, Roland Shanks has also done something others failed to do. And that's to come up with the songs.

Cutting Teeth is an angular pop-fest, an 'Ant Music' for the myspace generation cooked in jerky pop rhythms, served with an urgent vocal delivery and nagging guitars. The vocal harmonies collide like indie kids on the dance floor after one too many two-for-one Le Coqs. Also included on the single are two live recordings by Tim from Part Chimp, the stuttering "Colours" and the inescapably catchy 'Fight Scene". Both tracks highlight the immediacy and intensity of the bands dynamic live shows.