| The On-Offs | Danny Connors – vocals, guitar
Andy Crofts – bass, vocals
Luke Goddard – drums, vocals |
It’s a regular Monday evening in Northampton town for all but two reasons. A few hundred metres from BBC Towers, a sound-check for a ‘secret’ Razorlight gig is going down, ready for the show later tonight. The hype is building. The other is happening a few hundred metres in the opposite direction. Deep in the bowls of the town’s main rehearsal studios, three local lads are going through their set one more time. Danny, Andy and Luke have spent all day rehearsing their songs. They finally finish up and head the short distance from one studio to another, this time it’s BBC Towers.
The first time we saw The On-Offs in their current form was at a Weekender Social night back in August. Having heard good things about the lads, we wanted to give them a gig; they didn’t fail to impress. That was just weeks after Luke had replaced Mackey on drums. The night drew a good crowd spread from shear anticipation. Reputations from their respective backgrounds had whetted the appetite of the shire. Andy and Luke go way back. Band-mates in Circa and The High Drivers, they’re well known. As for Danny, he’s had solo success through his releases on Delta Sonic – home to amongst others, The Coral and The Zutons. Now they’ve all hooked up together, things have got really interesting. The latter part of 2005 was spent playing one-off shows in Liverpool, London and doing the rounds at Club NME’s up and down the country. Then there was the task of writing more songs, rehearsing, recording a demo, getting management and all the other jobs that go with being in a band. Far from letting time fly-by, once the lads looked up, they found two months of gigs booked in with some of the country’s most promising acts. Heading out on tour with The Rakes, one of 2005’s brightest indie stars, has to be the highlight. But only just. With the likes of London Astoria out of the way their support rolls onto the next. This time it’s with The Kooks, who themselves are look like being potential chart toppers very soon. Their debut album is certainly all it’s cracked up to be. And finally, the little-known but highly-talented Battle from London are the band’s final touring partners. If that wasn’t enough, a deal with Label Fandango, a new record company established by Fierce Panda’s Simon Williams, will release the band’s debut single at the end of February. This Town hits the shops on 20th February, the video to which is already receiving airplay on MTV2. We’re here! As the buzzer goes, the lads are let in from the cold. They’re here for a chat about the tour, setting up the band and their sound. And strapped to his body like another limb, Danny’s brought his guitar.
 | | Studio time: The On-Offs in BBC Towers |
It takes moments to realise these guys are in a band. And while the look isn't everything, it just adds to the obvious talent bubbling away underneath. It’s plain to see the talent wrapped on show. Success should surely be theirs, and very soon. The tour begins tomorrow morning and in the meantime, they’ve got some packing to do.
Listen to the interview with the band and The Weekender Session track by clicking the links above. | 
