Tam!

Edinburgh's genre-bending trio Tam! is named after its singer/songwriter Tam Treaner. Though Treaner's previous band, Captain Shifty, won local acclaim, he felt confined by the group's retro-funk sound and departed to concentrate on his own material in 1996. Guitarist George Christie joined Treaner a year later after meeting him at a studio session, and the duo moved to London soon after. After recruiting keyboardist and mutual friend Barney Strachan, Tam!'s lineup was complete. By 1997, the group's eclectic sounds and multimedia visuals generated buzz about their live shows, so much so that when they played Edinburgh's music festival In the City, they were named the Best Unsigned Band in the U.K. That status changed when Boy George's label More Protein released Tam!'s debut single, "Aliens," which was named a Single of the Week by Melody Maker. The label also released the group's debut album, Hello My Friends Do You Read Me?, which showcased Tam!'s mix of rock, hip-hop, and electronica. The album was released in the U.S. by Roadrunner Records in early 2000. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide