The band have received praise from publications such as NME, The Fly, Clash and Artrocker, as well as supporting the likes of Mystery Jets,[2] The Kooks, Kaiser Chiefs,[3] Kasabian,[4] Funeral Party,[5] Mona,[6] Pixies[7] and The Rolling Stones during their existence.

After Lloyd, White and Cratchley's former band Operahouse split up in 2009, the three members formed Tribes with an aim to creating a much heavier, grungier sound than that of their former band, who were more of an experimental math-rock/indie outfit (the rest of the Operahouse lineup also going on to find success, with guitarist Alex Robertshaw joining alternative act Everything Everything, and drummer Ben Niblett joining LULS).

White grew up near Demelo, having tried to steal his wallet at a childhood birthday party a few years previously, and the pair eventually became good friends.

The music video for the song "We Were Children" was filmed in Camden Town, with the band performing a rooftop gig to onlookers and fans on the street below.

The band played XFM's Winter Wonderland 2011 gig at Brixton Academy on 15 December alongside We Are Augustines, Ben Howard, Miles Kane, The Maccabees, The Horrors, a special guest and the Kaiser Chiefs.

[16] On 10 June 2012, Tribes took part in a charity festival, Chazzstock, which was set up after one of the band's close friends Charles Haddon killed himself.