Little Comets

Little Comets are an English indie rock trio from Jarrow and Washington, Tyne and Wear. Known for their lyrical references to everyday life and melodic guitar-driven sound,^[1] the band first gained attention in 2009 after signing with Columbia Records. Following their departure from the label in 2010, they signed with independent label Dirty Hit, who released their debut album, In Search of Elusive Little Comets, on 31 January 2011.^[2] Their second album, Life Is Elsewhere, was also released through Dirty Hit on 15 October 2012. The band released their third album, Hope Is Just a State of Mind (2015), and fourth album, Worhead (2017), under their own label, The Smallest Label.

On 9 February 2009, the band released their debut single, "One Night in October", through Lucky Number Records on vinyl and digital download.^[3] The single debuted at number three on the UK Independent Chart and received support from BBC Radio 1 DJs Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe and Sara Cox, who all played the track on their respective shows.

Having signed with Columbia Records in 2009, the band release their second single, "Adultery", on 26 October 2009.^[4] They promoted the release by touring in support of acts such as Hockey, The Twang and The Noisettes. Columbia terminated the contract in 2010.^[5] The band stated that Columbia initially refused to return their debut album before eventually dropping them, claiming the material "didn’t sound enough like Ke$ha".^[6]

The band’s debut album, In Search of Elusive Little Comets, was released on 31 January 2011 through Dirty Hit. It was preceded by the release of the track "Joanna" on 17 January. The album was produced by lead guitarist Michael Coles and mixed by Rich Costey, and went on to chart at number 54 on the UK Albums Chart.^[7]

In May 2011, drummer Mark Harle left the band to pursue other opportunities. Several shows scheduled for that month were postponed to October.^[8]

The track "Dancing Song" was used in a Radox television advert during the summer of 2012.^[9][10]

The band’s second album, Life Is Eslewhere, was released through Dirty Hit on 15 October 2012 and peaked at number 70 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] Produced by lead guitarist Michael Coles and mixed by Daniel Rejmer, the album featured three singles: "Worry", "Jennifer" and "A Little Opus". Drumming duties were split across the album, with new drummer, David "Greenie" Green performing on most tracks, former drummer Mark Harle appearing on "Tense / Empty" and "Worry", and George Daniel of The 1975 contributing to "Bayonne" and "Waiting in the Shadows in the Dead of Night".^[12]

The band’s third album, Hope Is Just a State of Mind, was released on 16 February 2015 through their own label, The Smallest Label. It peaked at number 31 on the UK Albums Chart.^[13][14]

The band’s fourth album, Worhead, was released on 10 March 2017 through The Smallest Label. It peaked at number 83 on the UK Albums Chart.^[15]

Current members

• Michael Coles – lead guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
• Robert Coles – lead vocals, guitar, piano (2008–present)
• Matt Hall – bass guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)

Touring musicians

• Matt Saxon – keyboards, guitar, backing vocals, samples (2015–present)
• Nathan Greene – drums (2015–present)

Former members

• Mark Harle – drums (2008–2011)
• David "Greenie" Green – drums (2011–2015)^[16]

• Official website
• interview with Little Comets at Il Dormiglione
• Interview on BBC Tyne