The Paddingtons

UK nu punk band the Paddingtons was formed in Hull, Humberside, not Whitechapel in east London, which is a popular misconception. The band comprises Tom Atkin (vocals), Marv Hines (guitar), Josh Hubbard (guitar), Lloyd Dobbs (bass) and Grant Hobbs (drums), who met while at school in Hull. The nucleus of the band was already playing together in a Beatles cover group when they discovered the rasping Johnny Rotten-style singer Tom Atkin, throwing their music in a totally new direction. Many hours were spent in various halls around Hull perfecting their upfront, in your face punk music, owing a heavy debt to the Clash and the Sex Pistols. They stuck with the name the Paddingtons when two band members took to wearing hooded coats that made them look like perennial children’s favourite Paddington Bear. The band got their first gig in east London through the auspices of Libertines’ cohort Scarborough Steve, but the local police swiftly stopped the gig, at a grimy venue full of Portuguese punks. Their short appearance made heavy ripples in the music pond, resulting in famed UK music mogul Alan McGee signing them to his Poptones label. The band then went on a tour of the more salubrious venues in the UK with fellow newcomers Thee Unstrung and spent some of 2005 supporting Babyshambles on tour. At the end of 2005 the Paddingtons released their debut First Comes First. Oasis collaborator Owen Morris produced the album, which was greeted by strong reviews in the UK music press.