MUSIC WATCH: The Pigeon Detectives

The Pigeon Detectives are a popular indie-rock band from the English town of Rothwell. In such, they developed a crisp, edgy, Brit-pop-rock sound reminiscent to The Kooks. So similar are the two that their lead singers are at times mistaken for one another (Kooks vs. Pigeon Detectives).

Along with their Kook-like sound, they are also infused with a bit of Robert Smith's (of the British band The Cure) vocals. They also have a sound similar to The Strokes in tempo and beat.

Interestingly, the origins of their name are somewhat muddled, as the band constantly plays with the story. Most likely, the band received their name while playing at an outdoor concert festival in Australia when the then-unnamed band were talking to a guy backstage to jokingly suggested calling themselves "The Pigeon Detectives." The band continued to use the name as an in-joke for the rest of the concert with no intention of using it until they caught a large-paying gig where the booking agent asked to have their band name. Not having one ready, the band blurted out the first name that came into their heads, The Pigeon Detectives. Other theories for how the band got their name include a magic bird that writes all of their songs and another involves two of the band members seeing the name in a fortune cookie cracker.

They have had several hits in the UK, but none have seen to make their way across the pond into the U.S.

"Everybody Wants Me" -- a song that displays their "Cure" influence. Has a slightly upbeat tone in the chorus with searingly distraught lyrics.

The Pigeon Detectives - Everybody Wants Me


"I Found Out" -- a rock anthem that showcases their rock side. It has a similar beat to the popular track "Brand New Day" by Tim Myers.



"Take Her Back" -- It is the British version of "Outside Villanova" by Eric Hutchinson with a strong Brit-pop sound to it. The only difference between the two songs is one is before the incident and the other is after, they both come back for more and feel bad about it. Below are some lyrics to the song.

He's had a few,
We've all been there,
Just 17 but he don't care,



"Don't Know How To Say Goodbye" -- This acoustic set by the band displays a strong songwriting skill and is a somber look at a man's love to a woman who doesn't feel the same way. It sounds like a Beatles song from their early songwriting days, back when they were still a pop band with big aspirations (think their "Shout" album).



"The Romantic Type" -- A 70s-era rock track that sounds like a mix Thin Lizzy and The Strokes. Fast grooves, good guitar playing, and a quick exit leave a solid impression of genius in the band's abilities.



Perhaps the biggest reason that they've yet to cross the threshold of popularity in the U.S. is because they have yet to release a full-length album on iTunes, which only has two songs from concert series in their inventory. Their last album came out in 2008, so expect a new one sometime in the next year or so.