The Overtones are a UK-based vocal harmony group. They were discovered by aWarner Bros. Records talent scout while working as decorators in a shop nearOxford Street, singing during their tea break.^[1] Their first album,Good Ol' Fashioned Love, entered theUK Albums Chart at #16 in November 2010. After its re-release in March 2011, it reached #4. More than 500,000 copies of their first album have been sold.

The members were originally in a band called DYYCE, which then reformed as Lexi Joe, which formed the basis of The Overtones. With four members originally – Mark Franks, Mike Crawshaw, Darren Everest and Timmy Matley – the band had been performing for several years. The four all shared an interest in thedoo-wop genre of the 1950s mixed withR&B and modernpop music. Their voices bear a strong resemblance to a 1980s' doo-wop boyband,14 Karat Soul. After auditioning onThe X Factor in 2009, as Lexi Joe, they were rejected from the final 24. Later, they met Lockie Chapman, discovered similar tastes in music and reformed themselves as a five-piece band, under the name of The Overtones. Everest then had the idea of starting a painting and decorating company so that the five could practice together while working. It was while painting a shop near Oxford Street in London that the band was discovered by a talent scout, while singing "The Longest Time". They later signed a 5-album deal withWarner Bros. Records.^[2]

The first album by The Overtones has a number of original tracks written by the band, including their first single "Gambling Man", the title track "Good Ol' Fashioned Love" and "Carolyn". In 2010, they made a number of high-profile public appearances, supportingPeter Andre on tour,^[2] and performing atStockport's Christmas lights switch-on^[3] and at the Abbey Park fireworks display inLeicester.^[4] They have made a number of television appearances, including onThis Morning.^[5]

On 13 March 2011, they were the house band for week 10 on the ITV showDancing on Ice. On 1 June 2011, they were the house band for the third semi-final on the ITV showBritain's Got More Talent. In November 2011, they performed onThe Saturday Night Show when the presenterBrendan O'Connor had to hold up a curtain after a "terrible mishap occurred in the RTÉ studio".^[6] The incident, available onYouTube, was nominated for the "Brown Trousers Moment" award at the 2011 Erics.^[7]

On 29 September 2012, they appeared in an episode ofRed or Black? being part of a round by using a handkerchief in their performance. On 9 December 2012, they appeared as special guest performers in the final episode of series 9 ofThe Xtra Factor.

In mid-2013, they announced the release date of their third album,Saturday Night at the Movies. It was released on 4 November 2013.

In early 2014, The Overtones went on a UK tour, stopping in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 20 February.^[8]They toured with SirCliff Richard in Germany in May 2014.^[9]

In November 2014, The Overtones announced the release of their fourth studio album,Sweet Soul Music. It was released on 27 February 2015, with a brief tour commencing in June. Their fifth album and first Christmas album,Good Ol' Fashioned Christmas, was released on 27 November 2015, with a Christmas tour following in the UK.

In 2016, The Overtones toured with the stage show "That's Entertainment", a show featuring music from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Later in 2016, The Overtones announced on theirFacebook page that they would be touring from November to December, with their "Christmas with The Overtones Tour". On 21 November 2016, Matley announced via Twitter that he would not be joining the rest of the band on tour, having been diagnosed with skin cancer in September 2016.^[10] As he progressed through his treatment, Matley returned for the band's touring commitments in 2017 and the band began recording its sixth studio album.

On 9 April 2018, the band made an announcement stating that Matley had died. In order to grieve, all touring commitments were initially cancelled, except for a planned gig at theUniversity of East Anglia, which had already been put back by three months due to Matley being ill. The gig then served as the band's first performance as a four-piece, and was billed as a tribute to Matley, with Chapman in particular performing a rendition of "Rainy Night in Georgia" dedicated to him. The group's fifth studio album, which was in the process of recording prior to Matley's death, was then finished, and released on 19 October 2018 on the band's own label Gambling Man Records. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" includes vocals recorded by Matley's before his death.

The band then engaged in a Christmas tour throughout November and December 2018, which included a tribute to Matley. It was later revealed that Matley died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a fall from a balcony.^[11]

On 24 April 2019, Lachie Chapman announced that he would be leaving the band to pursue other commitments, citing his decision was partly due to the band "not feeling the same" since Matley's death. His last performance with the group took place on theIsle of Wight on 4 May 2019.

On 30 June 2019, the group released a teaser, confirming that following Lachie's departure, a new member of the group would be unveiled. The same day, the band unveiled formerThe X Factor contestant Jay James as Lachie's replacement. Jay's first performance with the group then took place twelve days later atPotters Resorts,Gorleston-on-Sea, preceded by the group's first release as the new line-up: a cover ofEarth, Wind & Fire's hit "September". In November 2019, the group released aChristmas EP including September, and three covers of well known Christmas songs.

In early 2020, the band announced a 'Summer Celebration' tour, which was set to take place in May/June 2020. Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the tour was cancelled, and instead the band used the time to record material for what would become their sixth studio album, '10'. '10' was released on 30 July 2021.^[12] Celebrating ten years of the group, the album features re-recorded versions of the group's biggest hits, plus new original material including "Amigo" and "Rose Tinted", plus collaborations withMichael Ball andMarisha Wallace.

A '10 Year Anniversary Tour' was announced to accompany the album, initially set to take place in November/December 2021. However, due to ongoing fallout from the panic, the tour was moved to May/June 2022, but due to unforeseen circumstances, was ultimately cancelled. In November 2022, the band released a cover ofNeil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" in support of England's participation in the2022 FIFA World Cup.

In 2023, the group announced their first UK tour in four years, entitled the "Good Times" tour. The tour, taking place throughout November and December 2023, is the group's biggest tour to date, with 27 dates, and is supported by the release of a new, original Christmas single entitled "Christmas Everyday". All profits from the sale of the single are set to go toDiabetes UK.Britain's Got Talent finalistTom Ball supported the group.

Michael Crawshaw (born 12 February 1980) comes fromBristol. He sings the middle harmonies.

Crawshaw grew up inBedminster, with his family moving toKingswood when he was 16. He attended Cheddar Grove School, Bedminster Down Comprehensive School and St Brendans Sixth Form College, where he had his first taste of singing in an amateur production ofJesus Christ Superstar. He performed withoperatic societies in Bristol before moving to London to pursue his singing career.^[13] His favourite song is "Superstition" byStevie Wonder.^{[citation needed]}

Darren Everest (born 30 May 1981) comes fromEssex. He is thefalsetto voice of the band.

Everest, aWest Ham United supporter, had originally wanted to be afootballer and had played forLeyton Orient andSouthend United. After falling ill withglandular fever, he was forced to stop playing for a year and took up singing.^[14]

Mark Robert Franks (born 9 May 1977) comes fromSale, Greater Manchester. He sings the middle harmony sections in their songs.

Franks attended theRoyal Ballet School from age 11 to 16. He was a professional dancer for 10 years before joining The Overtones. Franks has released some of his 1980s remixes under his "DJ Rescue Rangerz" name on Soundcloud.^{[citation needed]}

Jay James Picton (born 12 July 1983), known professionally asJay James, is a Welsh recording artist, songwriter and broadcaster from Saundersfoot in Wales. A former serviceman at 16, he joined the Royal Navy and served for 10 years before leaving the military to pursue a career in music. As a songwriter and recording artist, he previously signed toSony BMG andUniversal Music'sDecca Records. On 27 August 2012, he released his debut album,Play It By Heart. The album featured written collaborations with Booker T. Jones andJohn Legend and was recorded between New York and Los Angeles with producers Mike Peden andMalay. In 2014, James appeared on the11th series ofThe X Factor, where he was mentored bySimon Cowell and finished in 8th place. In 2016, James joined the British Forces Broadcasting Service BFBS Radio to hostThe Big Show, a network music and entertainment series aired globally for Armed Forces personnel and their families. He has also worked for Made Television and hosted regional sports and entertainment seriesSportsline for Bristol. In 2019, James presented the Vodafone Top 40 on regional stations across Wales.The Sunday Social with Jay James was a new series that featured guestsMark Ronson,Louis Tomlinson,The Stereophonics andOlly Murs. James is a Royal British Legion Ambassador and was the digital host for the Festival of Remembrance in 2018.

On 30 June 2019, James was announced as a new member of the Overtones.

Timothy Thomas Matley (16 February 1982 – 9 April 2018) was fromCork, Ireland. He was the lead singer of the band, and sometimes joined the middle harmonies.

Matley entered intoperforming arts at the age of 14, and at 16 years old he travelled to London to audition for a performing arts school. He left Ireland when he was 17, as he did not enjoy college. He went travelling before deciding to get involved with songwriting and singing. In October 2014, he took part in the BBCGreat British Sewing Bee forChildren In Need, winning the show.^[15] Matley was diagnosed with stage threemalignant melanoma in 2016. Matley died in 2018 after falling from a balcony while under the influence ofcrystal meth.^[16]

Lachlan Alexander "Lockie" Chapman (born 7 February 1981) comes fromManly, New South Wales, Australia. He was thebass singer.

Chapman left Australia on his 25th birthday and traveled to England in the hope of becoming an actor. In early 2016, Chapman appeared in theChannel 4 comedy series,Crashing.^{[citation needed]}

Chapman announced on 24 April 2019 that he would be leaving the band to pursue other commitments. His last performance with the group was at the Isle of Wight on 4 May 2019.^[17]

Chapman started his solo singing career on 2 July 2019 following 3 sell out dates in London.^{[citation needed]}

• Official website
• The Overtones Germany - First official fansite

• Musical groups established in 2010
• 2010 establishments in the United Kingdom
• English boy bands
• Doo-wop groups
• Vocal quintets
• Musical groups from London

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