Aardvark: The Unyielding Force of British Alternative Rock

Aardvark is a British alternative rock band known for its dense, guitar-driven sound and introspective lyrics. Formed in Manchester in 2004, the group achieved a significant commercial milestone with their 2012 album Subterranean, which charted in the UK Top 40 and received a silver certification for over 60,000 copies sold.

Early career

The band coalesced around the songwriting partnership of vocalist/guitarist Liam Vance and bassist Owen Finch, who met at university. Their early sound was a raw amalgamation of post-punk and shoegaze, honed through relentless gigging in Manchester's underground venues. This led to their self-released debut EP, Burrow, in 2007, which caught the attention of independent label Fierce Panda Records.

Breakthrough

Aardvark's breakthrough arrived in 2012 with their sophomore album, Subterranean, released on Fierce Panda. The album's lead single gained traction on BBC Radio 6 Music, propelling the record to number 32 on the UK Albums Chart. This success was solidified by a lengthy headline tour and the album's subsequent silver certification in the UK.

Key tracks

Fault Lines — This lead single from Subterranean became their signature track, receiving heavy rotation on alternative radio and defining their wall-of-sound aesthetic.

Monolith — A fan favorite known for its dynamic, slow-building structure and a climactic guitar solo that became a staple of their live performances.

Chrome — Featured in several television dramas, this song broadened their audience with its driving rhythm and anthemic chorus.

The Dig — The opening track from their 2016 album Excavations, noted for its complex time signatures and lyrical themes of self-discovery.

Bedrock — A later-career highlight showcasing a more melodic, expansive side of the band's alternative rock foundation.

The momentum from Subterranean led to main stage slots at festivals like Reading and Leeds and a support tour with The Cribs. Their follow-up, 2016's Excavations, debuted at number 28, maintaining their chart presence. While subsequent releases have not matched those peak chart positions, Aardvark has maintained a dedicated fanbase through consistent touring and a collaborative EP with fellow Manchester act Money in 2019.

Fans of Aardvark's textured guitar work and earnest songwriting often appreciate the work of Doves, who share a similar Manchester heritage and atmospheric rock approach. The driving energy of The Music also finds a parallel in Aardvark's more propulsive tracks. Listeners drawn to their lyrical depth might explore The Twilight Sad for their intense, emotionally charged soundscapes. The intricate guitar interplay can also be heard in the music of Foals, particularly their earlier math-rock influenced material.

Aardvark's music remains a fixture on alternative rock radio stations and online rock radio streams that champion guitar-based music with depth. Their catalog, from the breakthrough anthems to their more nuanced later work, provides a compelling journey for listeners of modern rock.

You can hear the powerful alternative rock of Aardvark on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Explore our curated selection of stations to discover their music and other artists shaping the genre today.