Retrofitted pop band The Clientele had obvious roots in the hazy, autumnal glare of Galaxie 500 and Felt. Just as those bands took their The Velvet Underground and Television records to heart without being derivative, The Clientele were able to chalk up an extensive discography riddled with lush melodies of their own without sounding like a tribute band. Think of your favorite '60s pop band and odds are they're in The Clientele's blood.

The London-based band formed in mid-1997, consisting of Alasdair Maclean (guitar and vocals), Innes Phillips (guitar and vocals), James Hornsey (bass), and Howard (drums). Mark Keen replaced the academically occupied Howard toward the end of 1999; Sam Phillips left early on to form The Relict, a group with a varied membership that has occasionally included The Clientele members. After debuting on the Fierce Panda label's "Cry Me a Liver" compilation, The Clientele released a slew of singles, compilation contributions, and EPs in short order. Most significantly, March released A Fading Summer in 2000, an EP that harvested some of the band's hard to find singles and a couple new recordings. Later that year, the full-length Suburban Light (another compilation of previously recorded material) was issued by Pointy.

The band hooked up with Merge in early 2001, which issued Suburban Light in the U.S. months later. The Lost Weekend 2003 Volume 2 EP came out on Acuarela in 2002, which was followed a year later by their first proper album and Merge debut, The Violet Hour. Strange Geometry arrived in 2005, and in 2006 the band added keyboardist/violinist/percussionist Mel Draisey to its ranks. God Save The Clientele, which featured production by Mark Nevers of the band's U.S. labelmates Lambchop, was released in spring 2007. "Bonfires on the Heath", another release for Merge, was issued during fall 2009. The Maritime EP, which followed in August of 2010, was made up of songs recorded during the sessions for "Bonfires on the Heath". Despite The Clientele's claims of giving up touring after their worldwide jaunt promoting Bonfires of Sao Joao, they returned to the U.S. for live dates after the EP's release. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi