Letters & Colours were an English band from Sheffield, England, who became known for their combination of early 1980s new wave and disco beats. They gained recognition along with the New Yorkshire and nu rave scenes, and groups such as Bloc Party, Interpol, Editors and The Departure. They list The Cure, Depeche Mode and The Smiths as influences and were compared to such groups, as well as Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen, Bauhaus, Artery and Comsat Angels. Letters & Colours combined a heavy, repetitive rhythm section with lush, melodic guitar and haunting vocals. This created a bleak sound with a danceable quality, often referred to as "noir pop". The band was formed in 2003 as a two piece, before extending to four members; ultimately splitting in August 2007. Career Letters & Colours were formed in late 2003 by Sheffield Hallam University students David Jaques (guitar, programming) and Gerry Poole (vocals, keyboards, guitar). They played shows throughout the north of England including performances at The Leadmill in Sheffield and Barfly in Liverpool, building up a strong fan base. Combining live shows and the release of free recordings made available through Myspace, the band built a large following making them one of the first groups, along with Arctic Monkeys and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah to use the Internet to swell their fan base. The first shows used the combination of guitars, programming and vocals to create tight, epic music but could lack direction because of the limitations of programmed drums in a live context. Over the next year, the line-up was extended to create more flexibility in live performances, initially drafting in Ian Baxter on bass guitar, shortly followed by Paul Roberts on drums. The band gelled quickly as a four piece inspiring a change in style. The new sound was accompanied by a faster tempo and more exciting live performances, adding a pop edge to the band's sound. With new songs and a greater live presence, Letters & Colours continued to build their fan base and played with groups such as Harrisons and Little Man Tate (band), and played at the In the City in Manchester in 2005. At the beginning of 2006, Baxter left the band to concentrate on drumming in another Sheffield band, The Yell. The band had organised a national tour and single to be released on their own label, Dead Product, in March 2006, but