Wild Beasts

England's Wild Beasts were founded as a duo in 2002 by Hayden Thorpe (guitar, vocals) and Ben Little (guitar). Originally called Fauve, the group was joined by drummer Chris Talbot in 2004 and changed its name to Wild Beasts. After recording a self-titled EP, Tom Flemming was recruited as Wild Beasts' bassist and the band relocated to Leeds, where its energetic sound and Thorpe's theatrical falsetto earned the group a dedicated local following. Wild Beasts released a number of singles on Bad Sneakers Records (which they signed to in 2006) before signing with Domino Records in 2007. Their debut album, Limbo, Panto, was released in July 2008 in the U.K. and that fall in the U.S. It was followed in 2009 by Two Dancers, again on Domino. For 2011's Smother, the group recorded in an isolated area in North Wales and reunited with co-producer Richard Formby. After a period of intense touring, the bandmembers announced a break so they could concentrate on recording their fourth album, Present Tense, which was scheduled for release in early 2014. Wild Beasts announced they were working with producers Lexxx and Leo Abrahams and released the single "Wanderlust" in preparation.