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Who the hell are Animal House?
Ex Ride singer Mark Gardner's new group which also features Ride drummer Loz Colbert, Supergrass producer and ex-Mystic Sam Williams on guitar, Jason King on keyboards and guitar and Hari Teah on bass. Ride went through a bit of a bitter divorce with Mark and guitarist Andy Bell caught in a war of words. Andy went on to form Hurricane # 1 and is now Guigsy's replacement in Oasis.

Listen out for:The Animal House EP, a three-song limited edition release which, if you haven't got your paws on, then start searching. With an album out later this year, they are looking at small gigs and some festival dates, the first at Oxford Zodiac on 12 February. ÎTo people who know us it may seem ages in coming but the album's nearly ready. We were working on it last year but then we've also set up a studio - and the website too,â says Mark. The E.P was meant to be just a promotional taster of the album but radio stations have got hold of it and well, it's a winner.

Why all the fuss?: Well, the Animal House have been bubbling under since 1997 but their time has finally arrived. When Mark moved back to Oxford from London he decided to call on Sam and talk music· Mark reckons it was sheer destiny. ÎHe was a face about town who I knew of - we'd been in the same rehearsal studios, so I decided to call on him and that was the start. Oh and before you ask, there's no arguing in this band!â

Sounds like: More Supergrass than Ride as there are big guitars with infectious vocals and swirling keyboards. Animal is a frenzied record that reads attitude and cockiness.

Can you believe? Despite the way Ride split up Mark and Andy are now good friends. ÎSo much more was made of thatâ says Mark ÎIt was just that our time together as a band was over and so we split - then we got the knives out.â Mark is proud of his years in Ride but what about the long hair then? ÎWhen you've spent two or three years on a new project you want to talk about that but then you see a picture of yourself in a mag from Ride and spot THAT hairstyle!â laughs Mark·

They say: ÎI'd like to support Oasis at Wembley and blow them off stageâ (Mark) ÎTalking about Ride is like opening up those old diaries you keep at homeâ (Mark) ÎWe set up this amazing website that was so cool we couldn't even get past the front door! Find us at www.theanimalhouse.co.ukâ (Mark)

We Say: Forget Ride, this is the future. Big guitars to be witnessed loud and live and the Animal House EP with tracks Animal, Sodium Glow and Essence is out now . Watch those speakers though, Animal will blow them out!

Jacqui Swift

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