15 Minutes Before Fame

In a small forgotten corner on Whiteladies road, in the ashamed back room of Alter Ego, history was being made, as Wilder played an intimate set to around 50 fans on the eve of their signing to Rough Trade Records.

The Bristol Institute four-piece have been busy making waves with their brand of elctro/indie on the local scene for some time, with blood-hounded A&R people following closely in tow. Signing to an 150k record deal with the view of producing 4 albums, singer/guitarist Sam Craven definitely has reason to smile as he graces the stage to play with the feedback.

The band already look the part, with Craven sporting the classic 'Buddy Holly' specs, and a swoosh that would make Morrissey jealous. They kick into 'Eyes on the Radio' and the crowd are instantly engaged, though wired up by an audio electro-indie current. "It's all about energy, whether it grabs you by the balls or the heartstrings" Craven remarks as he rolls a well earned smoke.

They certainly know how to tease a crowd. Under the guise of 'keep em' wanting more' they played 3 songs, bowed and walked out. You can't blame them though, they've got a busy day ahead. "We've bought a bottle of champagne for the train ride' smiles bassist Jo.

They keep a certain modesty about the whole thing, "I'll know I've made it when I call my mum and tell her". Even when discussing the location for writing their first album they remain collected. 'We're aiming to start writing in January and have an album out in the summer, we were thinking possibly Berlin, or L.A', though Sam's girlfriend Georgie "doesn't think he'll work well in the cold". Maybe Berlin's off the cards.

Either way the band are living the dream "I quit my job on the 19th [Craven], it's so amazing to think I can make music full time". They have no illusions it's a long way to the top, but they're modestly pleased to be on the ladder.