Hope of the States

Fronted by the intriguingly sensitive, unassuming Sam Herlihy, Hope of the States made post rock flecked indie. They were compared to Radiohead, but those people were wrong.

Debut-hessian wrapped single ‘Black Dollar Bills’ set out their stall. Aesthetics were important- packaging, projections at live shows, military clothes.

Album 'The Lost Riots' remains a misplaced treasure, forgotten amidst the 'new rock revolution'. The band never seemed to fully recover from the suicide of guitarist Jimmi Lawrence in 2004, with follow up 'Left' aiming for a more commercial market, and missing.

The band split up after their show at Reading 2006, a fact announced by Broken Social Scene. Since the split members have gone on to form Troubles and Blocks.