The Cribs

Members

• Johnny Marr (2008–2011)
• Gary Jarman
• Ross Jarman
• Ryan Jarman

Studio Albums

1. 2004 The Cribs
2. 2005 The New Fellas
3. 2007 Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever
4. 2009 Ignore the Ignorant
5. 2012 In the Belly of the Brazen Bull
6. 2015 For All My Sisters
7. 2017 24‐7 Rockstar Shit
8. 2020 Night Network
9. 2026 Selling a Vibe

Source: MusicBrainz

Deep Dive

Overview

The Cribs are a British indie rock band formed in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in 2002, consisting of twins Gary and Ryan Jarman alongside their younger brother Ross Jarman. Operating within the broader indie rock and post-punk traditions, the band has maintained a DIY ethos throughout their career while building a sustained presence in the UK and international rock scenes. Their tenure spans from the early 2000s to the present day, marked by prolific recording and a notable collaborative period with ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, whose involvement from 2008 to 2011 represented a significant chapter in the group’s evolution.

Formation Story

The Cribs emerged from Wakefield in 2002, a working-class town in West Yorkshire not previously known as an incubator for contemporary rock music. The band’s foundation rested on the songwriting and guitar work of the three Jarman brothers—twins Gary and Ryan, and their younger sibling Ross. Operating initially outside the London-centric music industry, the trio embraced a grassroots, self-reliant approach to recording and touring that became central to their identity. This provincial origin and independent spirit would influence both their musical direction and their relationship with the broader music establishment throughout their early years.

Breakthrough Moment

The Cribs’ breakthrough came with their self-titled debut album in 2004, released through Wichita Recordings. The record established the band’s guitar-driven indie rock sound and caught the attention of critics and audiences beyond their immediate regional base. Their second album, The New Fellas, followed in 2005 and further consolidated their reputation, demonstrating that the band could sustain momentum and develop their songwriting across multiple releases. By the mid-2000s, The Cribs had transitioned from a local Wakefield act to a recognized presence within the indie rock landscape, earning touring opportunities and festival appearances that expanded their fanbase significantly.

Peak Era

The Cribs’ most creatively ambitious and commercially successful period extended from the late 2000s through the mid-2010s, anchored by the albums Ignore the Ignorant (2009) and In the Belly of the Brazen Bull (2012). The arrival of Johnny Marr as an official band member from 2008 to 2011 elevated the group’s profile considerably, bringing the legendary guitarist’s reputation and songwriting sensibility into the fold. The collaboration produced Ignore the Ignorant, which represented a watershed moment in the band’s career, and subsequent releases like In the Belly of the Brazen Bull demonstrated that the Cribs could maintain critical and creative momentum even as Marr departed. This era showcased the band at their most focused and prolific, with the albums receiving substantial attention from music media and establishing them as more than a regional curiosity.

Musical Style

The Cribs’ sound is grounded in jangly, guitar-driven indie rock with strong post-punk influences, a lineage that traces through both 1970s new wave and 1980s post-punk as well as contemporary indie rock practices. The brothers’ songwriting emphasizes economical, hook-laden compositions built around crisp guitar work and driving rhythms, with minimal production flourish in keeping with their DIY origins. Vocals are typically shared or alternated among the Jarman brothers, creating a sense of collective identity rather than singular frontman dominance. The addition of Johnny Marr during the 2008–2011 period brought additional textural sophistication and the influence of The Smiths’ melodic sensibility into the band’s framework, though the core aesthetic remained rooted in directness and instrumental clarity. Across their discography, The Cribs have demonstrated a resistance to stylistic excess, preferring lean, punchy arrangements that emphasize the strength of the underlying compositions.

Major Albums

The Cribs (2004)

The band’s self-titled debut introduced their guitar-centric indie rock formula and established the core songwriting partnership among the three Jarman brothers, laying the foundation for their subsequent development.

The New Fellas (2005)

The second album demonstrated that The Cribs could sustain their momentum and deepen their songwriting, solidifying their emerging reputation within indie rock circles.

Ignore the Ignorant (2009)

Released during Johnny Marr’s tenure as an official member, this album represented the band’s highest creative and commercial point, synthesizing their guitar-driven indie rock with Marr’s legendary songwriting influence.

In the Belly of the Brazen Bull (2012)

Following Marr’s departure, The Cribs proved their creative independence and continued ability to produce substantive work, maintaining their critical standing into the 2010s.

For All My Sisters (2015)

This album further demonstrated the band’s longevity and commitment to regular recording, maintaining their presence in the indie rock landscape during a period when many contemporaries had become inactive or disbanded.

Signature Songs

• “Chasing Good Times” — A direct, hook-driven track exemplifying the band’s jangly indie rock approach and emphasis on memorable melodic composition.
• “Be Safe” — Showcases the band’s ability to balance punk-influenced energy with accessible, radio-friendly songwriting sensibility.
• “We Were Aborted” — A standout example of the provocative titles and guitar-forward arrangements that characterize their post-punk leanings.
• “I’m a Realist” — Demonstrates the brothers’ capacity for introspective lyricism paired with propulsive, energetic instrumentation.

Influence on Rock

The Cribs’ sustained presence from the early 2000s onward contributed to the ongoing vitality of British indie rock during a period when the genre’s mainstream cultural prominence had diminished from its earlier peaks. Their DIY ethos and refusal of overproduction influenced a generation of UK indie bands operating outside London, demonstrating that significant artistic credibility and longevity could be achieved while maintaining working-class provincial roots. The brief association with Johnny Marr—bringing the legacy of The Smiths and post-punk innovation into dialogue with contemporary indie rock—underscored the band’s significance as a bridge between different eras of British rock music. Their prolific output and steady touring presence ensured that post-punk and indie rock traditions remained living practices rather than historical artifacts.

Legacy

The Cribs have established themselves as one of the more durable acts within British indie rock, with a career spanning more than two decades and a discography extending to nine studio albums as of 2026. Their continued activity and regular output—most recently the album Selling a Vibe released in 2026—demonstrates an unusual level of commitment and creative motivation compared to many contemporaries from their era. The band’s role in maintaining the traditions of guitar-driven indie rock and post-punk during a period of significant industry and technological change has solidified their standing as serious practitioners rather than nostalgia acts. Their Wichita Recordings tenure has provided them with a consistent platform, and their long-term relationship with the label reflects a mutual commitment to artistic integrity over commercial compromise.

Fun Facts

• The three Jarman brothers constitute the band’s core lineup, with twins Gary and Ryan joined by their younger brother Ross, an unusually close family collaboration that has remained intact throughout the band’s entire existence.
• Johnny Marr’s three-year tenure (2008–2011) as an official member represented a significant moment in contemporary rock, bringing the legendary Smiths guitarist into creative partnership with a younger generation of British indie musicians.
• Despite forming in Wakefield in 2002, The Cribs remained relatively unknown outside indie rock circles until the late 2000s, proving that major career breakthroughs and industry recognition do not require early adoption by mainstream media gatekeepers.