Socrates That Practices Music was formed in 2002 by Andy Cooke and Steven France. Based in London, they recorded their first EP, a split 12" with Skill 7 Stamina 12, in 2004, which comprised the tracks Spritza Boy and Bobby Tracey, the latter a peon to a young boy in a restless afterlife. With close ties to the London Art world, all material has thus far been released on Junior Aspirin Records, an artist run label set up by members of Skill 7 Stamina 12 and Socrates that Practices Music. They have been compared to Bauhaus, A Certain Ratio and early New Order, although their most recent work demonstrates a move towards a more experimental and industrial sound. Steven France left the band in 2005, and the current lineup is Andy Cooke (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), Alex Ellerington (Drums, Percussion), Jared Fisher (formerly of Norwegian Lady) (Guitars, Harmonica, Keyboards) and Grigoris Leontiades (Guitars, Keyboards, Bass).
The Young People features on Remove Celebrity Centre, a compilation album from Junior Aspirin Records, featuring Extra Action Marching Band, Imitation Electric Piano, DJ Scotch Egg, Charlottefield, DJ Lonely, This, Emily Wardill, Jack Too Jack and Skill 7 Stamina 12. This was released in March 2006.
Everett True (PLAN B Magazine) has described them thus...
"Socrates That Practices Music gabble and scratch, something akin to a brittle but dancable 1979 band (Glaxo Babies) being fronted by a self-consciously literate wordsmith (Mark E Smith or David Thomas). Melodies are taunted then spat out, loop around themselves in rhythmic abandon; hibernate in bearded acclaim."
