The Bees

The Bees, also known as A Band of Bees, are an English band from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Although their sound is generally classified as indie rock or psychedelic rock, the band have a colorful range of styles and influences, such as 1960s garage rock, country, reggae and jazz.

Role in Gorillaz
The Bees collaborated with Gorillaz on the song Bill Murray, from the D-Sides album. They are also credited on the D-Sides CD, Vinyl and Cassette. Their recording can be seen in the 2008 documentary Bananaz.

Musical Career
The Bees formed in 2001. They have released four albums: 2002's Mercury Prize-nominated Sunshine Hit Me, its 2004 major label follow-up Free the Bees, and 2007's Octopus. Their fourth and final album, Every Step's A Yes, was released on 11 October 2010. Over the years they've collaborated with Oasis, Madness and Fleet Foxes to name a few.

Members

 * Paul Butler – lead vocals, guitar, piano, clarinet, mandolin, drums, various Percussion instruments, saxophone, trumpet
 * Aaron Fletcher – bass guitar, guitar, piano, drums, percussion, lyrics, vocals
 * Tom Gardner – drums, bass guitar
 * Tim Parkin – bass guitar, piano, rhodes, percussion, vocals, trumpet
 * Warren Hampshire – hammond organ, celesta, acoustic guitar, percussion, jew's harp, vocals
 * Kris Birkin – guitar, vocals
 * Jon McMullen - guitar
 * Michael Clevett - drums, percussion, bass, Hammond, vocals
 * Darren Pink - mellotron
 * Chris Stankovich - 7-string electric balzouki

Discography

 * Sunshine Hit Me (2002)
 * Free the Bees (2004)
 * Octopus (2007)
 * Every Step's a Yes (2010)

Trivia

 * The Bees were Damon Albarn's original choice for the Phase 2 house band, but they only worked with Damon on Bill Murray.