Little Barrie is an English blues rock band formed in the early 2000s by guitarist and vocalist Barrie Cadogan, who met bassist Lewis Wharton at a London club, initially recruiting drummer Wayne Fullwood for their lineup.[1] The band, originating from Nottingham, blends elements of funk, soul, and psychedelia, evolving from a classic power trio structure with past drummers including Billy Skinner, Russell Simins, and Virgil Howe (who performed from 2007 until his death in 2017) to their current collaboration with drummer Malcolm Catto.[2] They achieved widespread recognition for composing and performing the main title theme for the AMC television series Better Call Saul in 2015, an instrumental track that captures their signature groovy, riff-driven style.[1][3]Over their two-decade career, Little Barrie has released eight studio albums, debuting with the blue-eyed soul and funk-infused We Are Little Barrie in 2005 on Talented Friends Records, followed by Stand Your Ground (2007) on V2 Records, which featured production from Edwyn Collins and included contributions from Primal Scream members.[1] Subsequent releases include King of the Waves (2011), the lo-fi Shadow (2014) on FatCat Records, and Death Express (2017), showcasing their shift toward rawer, garage-influenced rock.[2] Their partnership with Malcolm Catto began with the instrumental album Quatermass Seven (2020) and its follow-up Quatermass Expansion (2022), both emphasizing improvisational psych-rock elements, culminating in the 2025 release Electric War on Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label.[1][4]Beyond their discography, Cadogan and Wharton have established themselves as sought-after session musicians, contributing guitar work to projects by Primal Scream (2006–2015), The The, Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller, Morrissey, and Edwyn Collins, while band members, including guitarist Barrie Cadogan, have contributed to music for Baz Luhrmann's Elvis (2022) and the television series Peaky Blinders.[1] This versatility has solidified Little Barrie's reputation as one of the UK's most dynamic and genre-bending rock acts, with approximately 117,000 monthly listeners on Spotify as of November 2025 and a dedicated following for their live performances blending deep funk and 21st-century rock 'n' roll.[5]
Band Members
Current Members
As of 2025, Little Barrie operates as a trio consisting of Barrie Cadogan on lead vocals and guitar, Lewis Wharton on bass and vocals, and Malcolm Catto on drums, percussion, and keys, with this lineup driving their recent album Electric War.[6]Barrie Cadogan, the band's founder and primary songwriter, handles lead vocals and guitar while shaping the group's psych-funk direction through his contributions to recent releases. His extensive background includes collaborations with Primal Scream from 2006 to 2015 and live performances with Morrissey in 2004.[7][8]Lewis Wharton, co-founder since the band's inception in 2000, provides bass and backing vocals, playing a central role in production and songwriting for albums such as Electric War (2025).[9][6]Malcolm Catto joined on drums in 2018, forming the current trio after previous drummers including Virgil Howe, and contributes significantly to recent output through his drumming, percussion, keys, production, and engineering on Electric War.[10][6]
Former Members
Little Barrie's lineup has seen changes primarily in its drumming role over the years. The band's original drummer, Wayne Fullwood, served from 2000 to 2003 and contributed to early singles such as "Shrug Off Love" (2000), which helped establish their initial blues-rock sound.[11] Fullwood departed during the writing sessions for the debut album, allowing the band to continue developing their material.[12]Billy Skinner joined as drummer in 2003, replacing Fullwood, and remained until 2007. During his tenure, Skinner performed on the band's debut album We Are Little Barrie (2005) and supported early tours, providing a solid rhythmic foundation for their garage and funk-infused style.[13][14] His contributions helped bridge the band's formative singles to their first full-length release before he left to pursue other opportunities.Virgil Howe, son of Yes guitarist Steve Howe, joined on drums in late 2007, succeeding Skinner, and served until his death in 2017. Howe's playing featured on key albums including King of the Waves (2011) and Shadow (2014), where his dynamic style added depth to the band's evolving rock sound.[15][16] He passed away suddenly on September 11, 2017, at age 41 from a heart attack, prompting the band to continue with Malcolm Catto as his successor.[17][18]
Musical Style and Influences
Core Elements
Little Barrie is renowned for their foundational blues rock sound, blended with indie rock sensibilities and infusions of soul, funk, and R&B, creating a genre-spanning style that prioritizes raw intensity over polished production. This core approach draws frequent comparisons to 1960s British acts like Traffic and Cream, evident in the band's fusion of gritty hard rock riffs with soulful grooves and bluesy undertones that evoke the era's exploratory spirit.[19][20]At the heart of their signature sound lies a guitar-driven aesthetic, led by Barrie Cadogan's commanding riffs and versatile playing that alternates between distorted fuzz edges and crisp clean tones to build dynamic textures. Complementing this are Lewis Wharton's groovy, propulsive bass lines, which anchor the rhythm section with a funky pulse, while the drumming—whether from early collaborators or later additions—provides explosive, varied dynamics that fuel the trio's power. This instrumental interplay emphasizes live energy and room for improvisation, allowing performances to expand beyond studio constraints into spontaneous, high-octane expressions.[8][19]The band's key influences stem from the British Invasion and 1960s rock, including acts like Traffic and Cream, alongside American soul and R&B traditions. These roots are layered with echoes of late-1980s alternative rock bands, informing Cadogan's blues-grounded guitar approach that integrates rhythmic space and non-traditional phrasing. Additional influences include krautrock group CAN, proto-punk acts like The Stooges and MC5, and Jimi Hendrix, contributing to psych-funk explorations in later works, but the core remains anchored in this eclectic 1960s-inspired foundation.[8][21]
Evolution Over Time
Little Barrie's early sound in the 2000s was characterized by raw garage rock and indie influences, evident in their 2005 debut album We Are Little Barrie, which featured funky guitar riffs and jam-band-like virtuosity rooted in a core blues-rock foundation.[22][23] This initial phase emphasized energetic, unpolished R&B-tinged garage rock with genuine conviction.[24]Following their collaboration with producer Edwyn Collins on the 2011 album King of the Waves, the band's production shifted toward a more polished aesthetic, incorporating '60s surf-pop elements alongside krautrock and funk.[25][18] In the mid-2010s, the band explored lo-fi garage rock with blues and soul elements in albums like Shadow (2014), marking a rawer, more experimental direction.[26] This period reflected diversification through mood-shifting tracks blending garage rock and R&B.[27]In the 2020s, Little Barrie adopted a psych-funk and heavier blues direction in their 2025 album Electric War, a collaboration with drummerMalcolm Catto that fuses rock 'n' roll, deep funk, jazz, and atmospheric psychedelia.[28] Released on Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label, the album emphasizes groovy, sidewinding enigmas with sharp guitar lines and thunderous drums, evoking a post-apocalyptic blues-funk soundscape.[29][30]Following Virgil Howe's death in 2017, the band began collaborating with drummer Malcolm Catto, starting with the instrumental album Quatermass Seven (2020), prompting adaptive changes toward more experimental and genre-bending output, including mesmerically cool retro grooves played with precision across psych-rock and funk frameworks.[7][31] This lineup evolution has sustained Little Barrie's progression, allowing fluid integrations of influences through collaborative dynamics.[32]
History
Formation and Early Releases (2000–2005)
Little Barrie originated from Nottingham, England, but was formed in the early 2000s when guitarist and vocalist Barrie Cadogan met bassist Lewis Wharton at a London store and recruited him after Cadogan began gigging and releasing early singles. The initial lineup was completed with drummer Wayne Fullwood, blending rock, R&B, and funk influences.[1][21][33][34]The band's initial releases were independent singles that captured their raw, energetic style and helped establish a grassroots following. Their debut single, "Shrug Off Love" backed with "Reply Me (It Don't Deny Me)," was issued in 2000 on the Stark Reality label, an imprint known for jazz and funk reissues. This was followed by additional singles such as "Memories Well" and "Don't Call It the Truth" in 2001 on the same label, and "Burned Out / Buy My Style" in 2002 via Showdown Records. These early 7-inch releases, limited in production, showcased Cadogan's guitar-driven riffs and the group's tight rhythm section, earning airplay on indie radio and attracting attention within London's underground circuit.[2][35]In 2005, Little Barrie released their debut album, We Are Little Barrie, on Genuine Records after signing with the London-based label. Produced by Edwyn Collins at his West Heath Yard Studios, the recording sessions spanned 23 weeks, allowing the band to refine their material with Collins' guidance and engineer Seb Lewsley. The album's 13 tracks, including standout singles like "Free Salute" and "Greener Pastures," embodied a vibrant fusion of garage rock, soul, and funk, emphasizing themes of romance, longing, and irreverent humor through Cadogan's wry lyrics and the band's dynamic interplay.[36][21]During this period, the band built momentum through extensive live performances, starting with regular gigs in London clubs from late 2000 onward. They supported acts like DJ Format on a grueling 23-date UK tour in 24 days and appeared at festivals such as those in Coventry, Blackburn, and France's Summer Sonic event. These shows, often in intimate venues, fostered a dedicated indie following by highlighting their high-energy performances and genre-blending appeal, setting the stage for wider recognition.[12][34]
Breakthrough and Mid-Career Developments (2006–2010)
In 2007, Little Barrie released their second album, Stand Your Ground, which marked a stylistic evolution from their debut's garage rock roots toward a funkier sound infused with hip-hop elements, largely due to the involvement of producers Dan the Automator and Prince Fatty. The album, issued on the Genuine label, featured tracks like "Love You" and "Pin That Badge," released as singles, and showcased tougher beats and a darker edge while retaining soulful undertones. The album featured drum contributions from Russell Simins, before Billy Skinner took over on drums.[1][37] This shift reflected the band's experimentation during recording sessions, where they drew inspiration from hip-hop rhythms to toughen their grooves.[37]That same year, the band underwent a key lineup change with drummer Billy Skinner departing and Virgil Howe—son of Yes guitarist Steve Howe—joining on drums, bringing a fresh dynamic to their rhythm section.[18] Howe's versatile style, informed by his prior work with artists like Amorphous Androgynous and Bryan Ferry, enhanced Little Barrie's live energy, enabling more fluid and expressive performances that amplified their growing stage presence.[33]The period saw Little Barrie expand their touring footprint globally, including stops in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia, which helped cultivate international audiences and solidify their reputation beyond the UK indie scene.[18] Frontman Barrie Cadogan's concurrent role as a touring guitarist for Primal Scream from 2006 onward further elevated the band's visibility, while connections like those with Edwyn Collins contributed to broader exposure through shared bills and sessions. This phase of intensive roadwork and networking fostered increasing recognition, positioning Little Barrie as a resilient act blending retro influences with modern edge.By 2009–2010, the band began developing their third album, King of the Waves, self-recording core elements before reuniting with Edwyn Collins for production at his West Heath Yard Studios in London.[38] The sessions emphasized introspective themes amid surf-rock and garage motifs, exploring personal disconnection and resilience in tracks like "Surf Hell" and "How Come," culminating in a 2011 release that captured a moodier, more mature evolution.[25][39]
Later Challenges and Recent Activity (2011–Present)
In the mid-2010s, Little Barrie released their album Shadow on May 26, 2014, via Tummy Touch Records, showcasing a blend of garage rock and psychedelic elements that built on their earlier momentum from touring.[15] This period also saw the band supporting Charles Bradley on his 2012 U.S. tour, including East Coast and Midwest dates, which highlighted their live energy and helped sustain their international presence.[40] Their fifth studio album, Death Express, followed in 2017 on Non-Delux Records, incorporating surf and pop influences amid ongoing performances.A profound challenge struck in September 2017 when drummer Virgil Howe died unexpectedly of a heart attack at age 41, just before the start of a 14-date UK tour, leading to its immediate cancellation and leaving the band deeply devastated.[16]The loss severely impacted group morale, prompting a period of reflection for core members Barrie Cadogan and Lewis Wharton as they navigated grief without seeking an immediate replacement.[41]Following Howe's passing, Cadogan and Wharton reconnected through music as a duo, gradually incorporating drummerMalcolm Catto for collaborative efforts that marked their recovery.[18] This partnership yielded Quatermass Seven on October 16, 2020, a dark and expansive instrumentalalbum praised for its groovy, layered soundscapes, followed by Quatermass Expansion in 2022, which further explored their evolving chemistry.[42] By this time, the group had transitioned into a trio configuration with Catto, enabling a renewed focus on live performances and studio work that revitalized their output.[7]In 2025, Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto released Electric War on April 18 via Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label, a genre-bending record fusing rock, funk, jazz, and psychedelia that has earned critical acclaim for its psych-funk revival and hypnotic grooves.[7] The album's launch supported a promotional UK tour in April, featuring dates in cities like Nottingham, Manchester, London, and Birmingham, with additional European shows extending their reach.[43] This release underscores the band's resilience, blending experimental textures with thunderous rhythms to affirm their enduring influence in the UK rock scene.[44]
Collaborations and Side Projects
Notable Collaborations
Little Barrie has engaged in several key production collaborations that shaped their discography. Their debut album, We Are Little Barrie (2005), was produced by Edwyn Collins at his West Heath Yard Studios, infusing the record with a raw, garage-rock edge drawn from Collins's post-punk background.[22] For their follow-up, Stand Your Ground (2007), the band partnered with Dan the Automator and Mike "Prince Fatty" Pelanconi, blending hip-hop production techniques with reggae influences to create a funkier, more experimental sound; the album also featured contributions from drummer Russell Simins of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.[37] More recently, in 2025, Little Barrie collaborated with Malcolm Catto on Electric War, released via Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label.[28]Guitarist Barrie Cadogan has been a frequent collaborator in live and recording contexts with prominent artists. Cadogan provided touring support for Primal Scream, Morrissey, and Paul Weller during the mid-2000s and 2010s, contributing guitar to their sets.[1] Cadogan also played guitar on tracks by The The and served as a touring guitarist for Liam Gallagher, including high-profile shows like Oasis's 2022 Knebworth reunion performances.[8]In media, Little Barrie composed the main title theme for the AMC series Better Call Saul in 2015, a gritty instrumental riff that became iconic for the show's opening credits and was later extended into a full track.[45] Their music has been licensed for use in films such as The Black Phone (2021), Term Life (2016), and Baz Luhrmann's Elvis (2022), where Cadogan contributed guitar to the cover of "Cotton Candy Land" by Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak, as well as TV series including Outer Banks (2020), and various advertisements, extending their reach beyond live performances.[46][47]During the 2010s soul revival wave, Little Barrie supported Charles Bradley on tour across the US and Europe, opening for the Daptone Records artist in 2011–2012 and sharing bills that bridged garage rock with retro soul aesthetics.[40]
Associated Acts and Themes
Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto emerged as a collaborative trio featuring guitarist Barrie Cadogan, bassist Lewis Wharton, and drummer Malcolm Catto, marking a distinct extension of the band's creative output beyond their core recordings. Their project debuted with the albumQuatermass Seven in 2020, an experimental release characterized by dense, claustrophobic grooves blending psychedelic rock, blues, and filmic atmospherics recorded in a Dalston basement studio.[42][48] This was followed by Quatermass Expansion in 2022, a collection of alternate takes and extensions that further explored frazzled guitar lines and expansive psychedelic textures, emphasizing the trio's mastery in psych-funk and bluesfusion.[49] The collaboration culminated in Electric War in 2025, produced by the group and released via Easy Eye Sound, delivering thunderous drums, sharp guitar riffs, and swirling post-apocalyptic soundscapes that push boundaries in 21st-century rock, funk, and jazz.[7][28]Barrie Cadogan has pursued notable side endeavors outside the band's framework, including significant contributions to Edwyn Collins' post-stroke recovery albums beginning in 2007. On Home Again (2007), Cadogan provided bass and slide guitar across multiple tracks, supporting Collins' resilient return to music following his 2005 cerebral hemorrhage.[50] He continued this involvement on subsequent releases like Losing Sleep (2010), where he played guitar and bass, contributing to the introspective and emotive tones that defined Collins' work during his health challenges.[51] Additionally, Cadogan has composed and performed music for television, most prominently the main title theme for Better Call Saul (2015–2022), a low-key instrumental evoking the series' neo-noir tension, co-written with Lewis Wharton and the late Virgil Howe.[52] His television credits extend to contributions on Peaky Blinders, including guitar performances on cover tracks integrated into the BBC drama's soundtrack.[53]Across these associated acts and side projects, recurring motifs include dark introspection and social commentary, as seen in the claustrophobic, post-apocalyptic atmospheres of the Quatermass releases and the themes of greed and generational surveillance in Electric War.[48][54] Cadogan's work with Collins adds layers of personal resilience and emotional depth, while his television compositions underscore subtle narratives of moral ambiguity and urban grit, reflecting broader experimental explorations in psych-blues and soundtrack stylings.[50][52]
Discography
Studio Albums
Little Barrie's debut studio album, We Are Little Barrie, was released in 2005 on Genuine Records. Produced by Edwyn Collins at his West Heath Studios over the course of 23 weekly sessions, the album comprises 13 tracks that fuse garage rock, blues, and funk influences, showcasing the band's raw energy and guitar-driven sound.[36][55][56]The follow-up, Stand Your Ground, arrived in 2007 via Wall of Sound. Co-produced by Dan the Automator and featuring contributions from drummer Russell Simins of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, this 11-track release amplifies the band's funk and rockabilly leanings with groovy basslines and sharp riffs.[57][58][59]King of the Waves, the third studio album, was issued in 2011 on Tummy Touch Records. Largely self-produced by the band with assistance from Edwyn Collins on select tracks, it contains 13 tracks inspired by surf rock, delivering instrumental flair and thematic nods to coastal psychedelia.[60][61][59]In 2014, Shadow emerged on Non-Delux, marking a darker turn toward Krautrock and soundtrack-style experimentation. Self-produced with mixing by Edwyn Collins and Seb Lewsley, the 10-track effort highlights the band's evolving psychedelic edge, particularly through fuzzy guitars and atmospheric builds.[15][62][63]Death Express, released in 2017 on the band's own Non-Delux imprint, serves as the final full-length with original drummer Virgil Howe. Self-produced and capturing a raw, DIY intensity across 11 tracks, it blends heavy grooves with punk-infused urgency before Howe's passing later that year.[64][65][59]Shifting to a duo format, Quatermass Seven (2020) pairs Little Barrie with percussionist Malcolm Catto on Madlib Invazion. This experimental seven-track collaboration, recorded in Catto's basement studio using vintage gear, explores sci-fi fuzz, breaks, and expansive grooves in a darker, instrumental vein.[42][66][59]The companion piece, Quatermass Expansion (2022), also on Madlib Invazion, expands on the prior release with seven alternate mixes, early takes, and stripped versions. Produced by the duo, it deepens their improvisational psych explorations while maintaining a concise, groove-oriented structure.[49][67]Little Barrie's most recent studio album, Electric War (2025), was released on Easy Eye Sound. Self-produced by the band and Catto, this nine-track psych-funk outing— their first on Dan Auerbach's label—delivers cinematic, blues-drenched swagger with eclectic jazz and deconstructionist elements.[6][68][28]
Singles and EPs
Little Barrie's singles and EPs span their career, often serving as standalone releases or promotional vehicles that highlight their blues-rock roots and evolving psych-funk influences, with limited but notable entries on the UK Indie Singles Chart.The band's early singles established their raw, garage-infused sound in the indie scene. "Shrug Off Love," released in 2000, marked their debut. This was followed by "Pay to Join" in 2003. In 2005, "Long Hair" blended soulful vocals and gritty guitar work. The Little Barrie EP, issued in 2004 on Genuine Records, compiled tracks like "Burned Out" and "Be The One," acting as a teaser for their full-length debut while emphasizing non-album cuts with lo-fi production.[2]In the mid-period, singles tied closely to album promotions but retained standalone appeal. "Love You," released in 2007 from the Stand Your Ground era on Wall of Sound, peaked at #6 on the UK Indie Singles Chart, underscoring themes of excess amid the band's rising profile. Later, "Fuzz Bomb" emerged in 2014 on Tummy Touch Records, drawn from Shadow and praised for its explosive, fuzz-laden riffs that bridged rock and psychedelia.[69][70]Recent releases have leaned into digital platforms and collaborations, boosting streaming visibility. Promotional tie-ins gained prominence with the "Better Call Saul Main Title Theme (Extended)" single in 2015 on Madison Gate Records, composed for the AMC series and exceeding 7 million Spotify streams as of 2025, revitalizing their catalog through TV exposure. In 2025, "Spektator" was released as a single on Easy Eye Sound, featuring hypnotic rhythms in partnership with Catto, while the "Electric War" single previewed their latest album with high-energy funk grooves. Post-2010, digital metrics highlight sustained impact, with non-album tracks like the Better Call Saul theme driving over 100 million combined streams across platforms, far outpacing physical sales.[71][3][72]