The Ordinary Boys: Britpop and Indie Rock Revivalists

The Ordinary Boys are a British indie rock band who emerged in the early 2000s with a sound heavily indebted to the classic Britpop era. Hailing from Worthing, England, the group achieved mainstream success with their 2005 album Brassbound, which spawned the UK Top 10 single Boys Will Be Boys.

Early career

Formed in 2003, The Ordinary Boys were fronted by vocalist Samuel Preston, alongside guitarists William Brown and James Gregory, bassist Charles Stanley, and drummer Simon Goldring. Their early sound was a direct and energetic fusion of punk-pop and the guitar-driven anthems of 1990s Britpop, leading to a deal with B-Unique Records.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived in 2005 with their second studio album, Brassbound. The record peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart, propelled by the success of the single Boys Will Be Boys, which reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. This period also saw increased public profile for Preston due to his participation in the UK reality television series "Celebrity Big Brother".

Key tracks

Boys Will Be Boys - This chart-smashing single defined their commercial peak with its catchy, laddish anthemics.

Week In Week Out - A earlier single that established their signature blend of jangling guitars and social commentary.

Nine2Five - A later track showcasing a shift towards a more ska-influenced, brass-heavy sound.

Lonely at the Top - The lead single from their debut album, setting the template for their mod-influenced indie rock.

Following the success of Brassbound, The Ordinary Boys released How to Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps in 2006. The album continued their chart presence but signaled a change in musical direction, incorporating more prominent brass and soul influences. After a hiatus and lineup changes, the band regrouped in the 2010s for touring and released new music, including the 2018 single I Fought the Law, demonstrating a continued loyalty to their core guitar-pop style.

Fans of The Ordinary Boys' brand of punchy, British guitar music often appreciate the work of similar acts. The anthemic, Britpop-inspired rock of The Libertines shares a similar ragged energy. The catchy, mod-influenced hooks of The Jam are a clear forebear to their sound. For the laddish, punk-pop side of their work, listeners might enjoy The Futureheads. The melodic indie rock of Kaiser Chiefs also operates in a comparable space.

The music of The Ordinary Boys, particularly their hits from the mid-2000s, remains a staple on alternative rock and indie radio stations that celebrate the post-Britpop era. Their guitar-driven songs are regularly featured in rotations that highlight early 21st-century UK rock, ensuring their anthems continue to reach both nostalgic and new listeners.

The discography of The Ordinary Boys, from their early indie singles to their chart-topping success, is available to explore through the radio stations featured on our platform, offering a direct line to their distinctive brand of British rock.