Formed in 2008 by frontman and songwriter Piers Eccleston.

The band’s breathtaking musicality owes much to quality of its members. Latin drummer Mannie Mazzeo grew up in Argentina, finishing a tour of Australia and New Zealand to join the band on drums and backing vocals. Unusually for a drummer, he doesn’t hit hard, instead bringing a Latin sophistication to the sound, which is all underpinned by Tim Dent on bass – the stock-still indie understatement that brings it all together.

On lead guitar, South African Uncle Dunc delivers a harder rocking sensibility that can flip a Fleas song from intimacy and heartbreak into something that sounds like a building falling down. This is why at every gig, there’s always a cluster of EMO boys gazing in awe at his fretboard.

Finally, Bernadette brings an extra shimmer and groove to the sound on percussion and backing vocals, giving the band a distinctive three-part harmony that’s unmistakably Fleas.

The band also boasts the artist Malcolm Neill, who produces artwork f