"Set to be Colchester's biggest export since Boy-racers and pissed-up squadies"
- Edith Bowman - Radio 1 presenter
Essex based Absent Kid originally formed at lunchtime as a two-piece in the music room of a Colchester secondary school in 2001 through a mutual hatred of 'artist' Quentin Blake. Comprising of Richard Williams (born in Colchester, 7th September, 1984) playing guitar and a metal obsessed drummer by the name of Craig Jeal (born in Colchester, 24th April, 1985). The band were first known as 'Show All Workings', inspired by the high pitch shrieks of their maths teacher. S.A.W. spent their lunchtimes and free periods dodging an onslaught of rotten apple cores whilst performing beautiful collaborations with the schools' resident (visually impaired) pianist. Soon the band got down to some slightly more serious work when Richard and Craig found a chimp boy baring more than a passing resemblance to South Park's Butters who they soon installed as bass player.
Upon leaving school, the boys belted out a few covers at a leaving bash and headed off unsure what the future held for them.
All this time, Richard's older brother Martin Williams (born Colchester, 14th August 1979) had been away at university armed only with a battered Gibson copy, a university he'd only joined with the intention of forming a band. Returning that summer complaining of a complete musical apathy on the part of his fellow students, he soon hooked up with his brother's project and filled the gaping hole in the centre of the stage, taking on vocal and second guitar duties.
Together they honed their own brand of furious punk pop and discordant hook-laden thrash. Early songs were energetic at best and messy at worst. With every passing rehearsal session, twisted pop melodies, questionable lyrics and ear splitting feedback were added to the vat in equal measure. Suddenly songs began to take shape. Amidst the obligatory 2 minute punk raids, a 7 minute prog-epic by the name of 'Safety in Numbers' began to take shape and 'Pocket Guide to Butterflies' showed a genuine ability to write a memorable pop melody.
Absent Kid played their debut gig in Colchester at a party for Richards 18th Birthday. Whilst ragged around the edges, it was noticeable the band had considerable stage presence and energy about them. Opening for them that night was an acoustic duo, featuring Dominic Harrison, a talented guitarist who Richard had met whilst doing his A-Levels. January 2003 saw the band enter the recording studio for the first time. Three live favourites 'Pocket Guide to Butterflies', '(Too Many) E-Numbers' and 'Safety in Numbers' combined to make the up the bands first demo the 'Safety in Numbers EP'.
The first half of 2003 saw several more gigs around the Colchester area and sparked the addition of Dominic Harrison, developing the Absent Kid sound further. Feeling that January's demo didn't do justice to their live sound, September found the band recording their second EP, 'Scatter Photos and Relive Bloodloss' at Adelaide Studios, produced by Grant Matthews. The demo was distributed to various Colchester shops and national venues and gave the band their first London gig at the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town and Colchester's Arts Centre, generally regarded as Colchester's best live venue.
Further distribution of the 'Scatter Photos and Relive Bloodloss' EP gave absent kid a chance to make their radio debut on BFBS with the track 'Eyes on The Exit', and later on XFM with 'Quiet Playground'. Further London gigs also transpired including the Carling Bar Academy Islington and winning the Battle of the Bands first round at the Fountain Venue in Seven Sisters.
Playing regularly and improving all the time the band began supporting signed bands such as fantastic Texan-rockers The Paperchase and Fantastic Plastic record's Ikara Colt. Crowd favourite 'Quiet Playground' was chosen from thousands of demos to feature on an unsigned bands compilation released via Chromium Records in April. In May they won the Annual Halstead battle of the bands and had their set at Reading Uni broadcast in its entirety on Junction 11 Radio.
In June the band were given a glowing review by the former drummer of chart toppers Dodgy in national music publication 'Rhythm' magazine.
Labels began to show an interest, and in late June, Absent Kid won the coveted Diesel-U-Music award as best unsigned Alt-Rock act. An awards ceremony at London's Fabric nightclub followed.
