Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Ali Forbes

Highness - the first official track from the four local lads - hit record shops everywhere on Monday 3rd May 2008.

Envy & Other Sins won Channel 4's T-Mobile Act Unsigned Competition in December 2007, bagging a Β£1 million record and distribution deal in the process.

The Birmingham boys - all in their twenties - subsequently quit their day jobs to embark on new careers as bonafide rock stars.

Over the last two months the boys have relocated to London where they've spent their days preparing Highness, recording their upcoming album, shooting music videos and getting ready for their current UK tour.

Mark Lees

Despite the hectic schedule, vocalist Ali Forbes and bassist Mark Lees recently returned to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing to bring us up-to-date with all the exciting things happening in their lives.

Speaking on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing, Mark said:

"If you'd have told us this time last year that the end of the year was going to be spent on a reality tv show, winning it, being in a recording studio recording the album that we've dreamt of doing - with a famous producer, I wouldn't have believed you for a minute. Finishing this album is going to be a real joyous moment."

No question the lives of the four lads have radically changed. They're even having to cope with being recognised in public, owing to their starring roles in a nationally broadcast reality television show.

Envy - upon winning Mobile Act

"It's happened a few times," said Ali. "The first time I think was the night after we won the final. I called in the off license for a few beers and the girl behind the counter said: 'Oh my god, it's you off the telly!' She called her sister then started screaming. It's really weird!"

To listen to the entire interview, recently broadcast in two parts on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing, click the links at the top of the page.

In part one, the lads discuss the experience of winning the Unsigned Act Competition, relocating to London, their changing lives, shooting music videos and being recognised in the street.

In part two, they chat about where they stand now, the release of Highness, how proud they are to be from Birmingham, their fans and the Envy & Other Sins UK tour.

Playing on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing

Also, listen again to Envy & Other Sins playing live on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing:

Envy & Other Sins bad members:

• Ali Forbes: lead vocals and guitar, from King's Heath, Birmingham
• Jarvey Moss: keyboards and vocals, from Stirchley, Birmingham
• Jim Macaulay: drums, from Dudley, West Midlands
• Mark Lees: bass and vocals, from Leicester

Ali Forbes on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing

A little bit of envy

• They wear flamboyant outfits and try to create their 'own little world' on stage, including travelling with rugs, rat stands and candle sticks to every gig
• Have a black van called 'The Beast' which they travel to gigs in
• Have played in illustrious venues like The Shepherds Bush Empire, The Secret Garden Party Festival and The Islington Academy
• They sound similar to The Feeling and cite influences such as The Kinks, Roxy Music and Super Furry Animals
• Envy & Other Sins are officially the first band to have appeared on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM Introducing since the programme's launch in August 2007 to have subsequently been signed by a major record label