[1] The band was formed in 1997 in an attempt to enter a songwriting competition by Joe Hawkins, "I had sent in a tape of some songs recorded at home on the four-track, Only trouble was that (to play the songs live) I needed to get a bass player and someone who could sing harmonies" and so called on Cain Turnley, a trusted friend and a more than competent guitarist, "I had two weeks to rehearse the tunes and Id never picked up a bass before.
In 1998 Scott Nicholls (lead guitar) and Ben Mills (drums) completed the line-up and heralded the beginning of the band that was now affectionately renamed Cartman.
The initial single "Nobody" was added to playlists across the country and the film clip opened the band up visually to a national audience.
[3] The single was also picked up by BBC Radio One's Steve Lamacq, who added it to the stations playlist, along with the independent UK network X-FM.
The first track to from the album, "Shock" was selected as the eviction music for reality TV show Big Brother.