Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

A Britpop band with energy and grit besides the obvious melodic flair and arrogant airs, Longpigs formed in their hometown of Sheffield in 1994, around vocalist Crispin Hunt, guitarist Richard Hawley, bassist Simon Stafford and drummer Dee Boyle. Although they were signed to a major label just months after playing their first gig, the band were crushed when the label went under, especially since a new label would have to pay 500,000 to release them from their contract. Enter the deep pockets of U2's Mother Records, and Longpigs soon had a deal with Mother. Their single "Far" hit the U.K. Top 40 in early 1996, followed by the Top 20 entry "On and On." Their debut album, The Sun Is Often Out, was released in the U.K. in April 1996, and in America less than one year later. Longpigs toured with U2 as well, opening for the group on selected dates of their 1997 Popmart Tour. ~ John Bush