ABOUT US

Formation & Early Years

Ann Arbor was formed in 1999 by Tim Waterfield (guitar) and Glenn Bowen (drums), who were previously bandmates in Half Seas Over, alongside bassist Matt Jones.

Glenn remained with the band until June 2001, when a shoulder injury forced him to stop playing. Rather than recruiting a new drummer, the band programmed Glenn's relentless beats into a drum machine—the 'black box'—permanently shifting to their signature industrial noise setup. In 2005, the band expanded their live sound and enlisted guitarist Matthew K Grundy (formally joining in 2006) to add further guitar onslaught for their upcoming shows.

The Turbulent Path to 16 Bit

Ann Arbor's debut album, 16 Bit, was released in 2003 after a long and turbulent production process. The band had initially signed with Seismic Records, a Nottingham-based label. However, Seismic soon ran into severe financial troubles and failed to pay the pressing plant where the master tapes of 16 Bit were stored. As a result, the tapes were impounded, delaying the album indefinitely.

Undeterred, Ann Arbor took matters into their own hands, starting their own label, Field Records. They managed to retrieve their master tapes from the pressing plant and released 16 Bit independently. The album received critical acclaim from publications like Kerrang! and Rock Sound for its adventurous, metallic sound.

Guerrilla Recording Tactics

16 Bit was notable for its unconventional recording methods. Instead of using professional studios, Ann Arbor recorded most of their songs in various locations using guerrilla tactics:

• A print works in Northampton
• A disused pub in Leicester
• Several abandoned office buildings

By setting up their equipment and playing live without overdubs or edits in these makeshift rooms, they captured a raw, metallic, and organic feel that contrasted sharply with the polished, mainstream rock of the early 2000s.

Evolution & A Long Trip

In 2005, the band followed up their debut with A Long Trip, demonstrating an evolution of their sound towards melodic and atmospheric soundscapes, experimenting with keyboards, synths, and electronic samples.

Since then, Ann Arbor released music on Field Records and featured on compilations by labels such as Milliepeed Records and Satellites And Clouds Records. They toured extensively across the UK, sharing stages with bands like Oxbow, Mclusky, and 65daysofstatic.

Hiatus & Subsequent Projects

Since Ann Arbor went on hiatus, the members have continued making music:

• Tim Waterfield has been recording and releasing music under the solo projects Karhide and Synnax, as well as recording local bands.
• Matt Jones has been working with the band Toucan Party.