English singer-songwriter and Guitarist best known as the frontman of the Manchester-based indie rock band The Courteeners. Each of his first four albums with the band cracked the Top Ten on the U.K. Album Charts, with 2008's St. Jude and 2010's Falcon achieving Gold status.
He was born in Middleton, Greater Manchester and grew up inspired by artists like Oasis and The Smiths. He studied Economics and Creative Writing at the University of Manchester but dropped out in his second year once his band began to gain some traction.
He painted the cover art for The Courteeners' first album, St. Jude, which depicts Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn.
He comes from a family of teachers and has an older sister named Laura.
He opened for Welsh band Stereophonics, led by frontman Kelly Jones, on the band's Decade in the Sun tour in 2008.
