[3] After recording a demo and garnering label interest, the band started playing live around this time, at venues like the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, and "squats and warehouse parties" with artists such as Calvin Johnston, Subway Sect, Herman Dune, and Ballboy.

[6] After several high-profile support slots, the band signed to the fledgling independent label Wichita Recordings in 2003 "we thought (they) were great because they sounded a bit like Pavement and had a big hook.

Released on 8 March 2004, the album found early supporters in the NME, who commented on its "supreme pop melodies", and referred to it as "lo-fi, hi fun" giving it an 8/10 review.

But not willful indie lo-fi; the scratches, clangs and gawwumps all heard here are genuinely the product of the trio's shoestring methods rather than the usual contrived fuzz that bands spend ages poring over beaten up eight-tracks to achieve".

[10] Though only a moderate underground success at the time "Another Number" has gone on to become one of the band's most enduring 'hits' – seldom being left off the set-list and usually accompanied by a full crowd sing-along of the signature, repeated guitar riff.

The Cribs decided they still wanted to tour and took to posting their phone numbers and email addresses on the internet, professing to play anywhere for fuel money and a crate of beer.

[7][12] The New Fellas, the band's second album release, was recorded with Edwyn Collins, the singer-songwriter and guitarist from Glasgow's influential Orange Juice in London at his own West Heath Studios.

[9] The other singles released from the record were "Mirror Kissers", "Martell", and non-album track "You're Gonna Lose Us" (produced by Bernard Butler), which was paired with "The Wrong Way To Be" as a AA side.

[16] At the conclusion of The New Fellas campaign, the Cribs signed a major label deal with Warner Bros. Records – though they remained on Wichita in the UK at the bands insistence.

In November 2007 the Cribs were invited by a re-formed Sex Pistols to play with them for three nights at Brixton Academy in celebration of the 30-year anniversary of Never Mind the Bollocks[22] In December the band announced three intimate shows at their old haunt the Brudenell Social Club in aid of cystic fibrosis where they would play all three albums to date in sequence with secret unannounced support bands each night (Franz Ferdinand, Kate Nash, and Kaiser Chiefs respectively).

They also made a live appearance at the Awards ceremony itself, playing new single "I'm a Realist" and a cover of "Panic" by the Smiths, featuring their new guitarist Johnny Marr (of the aforementioned band), who had been guesting with them throughout the tour.

[26] Once Modest Mouse completed touring duties for their record, the Cribs and Johnny started to hang around and jam together – "It's been going well and it would be shame to cut it short, the original intention was to be doing an EP" the band told BBC 6 Music in January 2008.

The band then went on to tour Japan (including a show at Budokan with Arctic Monkeys) then on to South Korea where they headlined the Grand Mint festival at the Olympic Park, Seoul.

[32] For Record Store Day 2010 the Cribs released "So Hot Now" as a split 7-inch single with Portland, OR band the Thermals on legendary riot grrrl label Kill Rock Stars.

In March, the band headed out on a tour of the United States, concluding in April, and later that month released the first official single from the new album "Come On, Be A No-One".

The next month, the band headed out for another tour of the United States and Canada, before flying to Japan to headline the Hostess Weekender festival at the Yebisu Garden Hall in Tokyo, as well as a show in Osaka.

[42] At the conclusion of the UK tour, the band headed to eastern Europe where, amongst other dates, they would visit Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece and Turkey for the first time.

This followed news that the band's sixth album was to be produced by former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek, known for his work with artists including Weezer, Nada Surf and Guided by Voices.

A full UK tour was announced during this period, and took place in October and November, which included dates at Glasgow Barrowlands, Manchester Albert Hall, and The Roundhouse in Camden amongst others.

[65] Another tour of Asia followed, including stops in S. Korea (Seoul), Japan (Tokyo and Osaka) and the band's first engagement in China, where they would play the Shanghai Rugby Football Stadium for the Concrete and Grass Festival.

The exhibit featured 3 large glass containers dedicated to each of the band members with their chosen instruments as well as various memorabilia such as early gig posters, awards, touring paraphernalia and original records.

The tour commenced on 11 May at Glasgow Academy and finished on 20 May with a show at Leeds First Direct Arena where they were joined live on stage by Lee Ranaldo for his spoken word part in Be Safe.

As a result, the band – who were now managing themselves – decided to focus on gaining ownership because there would be no point in signing a new deal, making a new record and touring as long as someone else owned their music.

[80] On 12 August 2020, a day over three years since their last new material 24-7 Rock Star Shit, the band's social media profile pictures changed to a stylised test card.

[88] After regaining the rights and master tapes for the albums through the legal battle that caused the band's inactivity several years prior, they spent 2021 sifting through their archives for bonus material to include on the reissues.

[91] A group of between fifty and one-hundred committed fans aimed to 'collect thoughtful, dedicated and passionate written work' on the band beginning in early summer 2011.

[92] Kind Words from the Broken Hearted 'outlines a range of responses to the Cribs...with many otherwise "ordinary" men and women contributing ideas and views' that fill the pages of the fanzine.

The fanzine also shares close links with fellow Wakefield independent music fans at Rhubarb Bomb, in addition to Bonus Cupped, a left-leaning, travel and punk publication from Bristol.

Notable readers, and upcoming contributors include band collaborator Nick Scott at Narcsville[95] and Eddie Argos and Jasper Future from Art Brut.

Support from within contemporary music journalism has come from influential the Smiths and David Bowie writer and broadcaster Simon Goddard,[96][non-primary source needed] in addition to Tim Jonze at The Guardian.