OFM

Formed in 2002, OFM display a togetherness that can only be achieved by playing with people you love, or with lots of practice, or both. Four best friends with a love for quirky alternative rock music and a love for one another. It wasn't long after these four friends met, jammed together and decided to form a band that their musical direction was formed. No deliberation on the direction, just a common love for the same music and a shared ambition to write and perform original "alternarock" music.

With a sound derived from influences as varied as Pavement, Guided by Voices, The Smiths, The Cure, The Pixies, and anything else that moves or bemuses the listener, OFM bring something a little different to the musical mix. With two EP's (2004's Hopes Bypass & 2005's Deep Lakes and Dry Eyes) already recorded and a third on its way in March '06, the rest of this year looks like being a big year for the band whose relaxed demeanour and energetic shows have gained them a reputation of a live act to be reckoned with. As far as the band themselves are concerned they like to keep things simple; BenL sings & plays guitar, BenB plays guitar and helps with singing, ChrisD plays bass guitar and Big Dave just hits drums. Said Leeds Music Scene: "ofm is a partnership, a duel between knights of the guitar. Beautifully intertwined Malkmus-esque twiddles and nonsensical non-chordial fiddlings underlay song after song rich in quality and high in drama. Both guitarists do battle with the senses, safe in the knowledge their back line will hold it all together with the sort of effortless drumming and no-nonsense bass playing that makes it all look so easy"