Wight Surf History

The Shutes

The Shutes are a four-piece from the Isle of Wight who make well-crafted indie-rock with psychedelic and surf flourishes. The Shutes are Chris Jones, Michael Champion, Dave Champion and Rob Potter.

“The most far our rock ‘n’ roll joyride to leave the Isle of Wight since August 31st 1970, when Hendrix’ trailer pulled out” – NME

The band grew up on the Isle of Wight and still live and record on the island, taking their name from a long, winding pathway known as ‘the Shute’ which runs down the cliff edge to the shore near their homes.

The band formed about 5 years a go when Mike, Chris and Rob got together for a jam having met through playing in other bands. Within a few months they were playing gigs in London and released their first cd soon. The band has toured Europe three times, playing in Hamburg, Berlin, Zurich, Vienna to name but a few. They have supported the likes of The Go! Team, The Bees, Alexander Ebert and Peter, Bjorn and John and will be supporting Level 42 at Northwood Park this Jubilee weekend.

In recent years The Shutes have headlined at the ‘Barfly’ and Koko in London and closer to home have played the Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival for the last 4 years. In 2011/12 The Shutes recorded in London studios their latest release, ’Echo of Love’ which was released earlier this year.

Chris and Mike met through surfing on the Island. Mike grew up surfing around Niton while Chris’s local breaks were Compton and Freshwater Bay. It was a few years before they both realised they had a passion for music.

Mike was inspired by the likes of Raff with his retro style and Chris started surfing with people like Dougie Richards, Ian Pacey and friends.

May 16, 2012 | Categories: The Noughties | Tags: 1970, Alexander Ebert and Peter, archive, Barfly, Bestival, Bjorn, blog, Bright Blue Berlin Sky, Chris Jones, compton, Compton Bay, Dave Champion, Dimbola, Dimbola Museum and Galleries, Dougie Richards, Douglas Richards, Echo of Love, Even Sweeter Marie, four piece, Freshwater, freshwater bay, group, headline, headlined, Headliner, Heavy Thunder, Hendrix, Here, history, Hits like Morning, I C Sky, Ian Pacey, indie, IOW, Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight Festival, Isle of Wight radio, Jobie Wells, John, Jubilee, Jubilee Weekend, Koko, Lee Webster, Level 42, Michael Champion, Mike Champion, music, My Blood Runs Clear, niton, NME, Noah's Ark, Northwood House, Northwood Park, Only, Pacey, people, photo, photographs, piece-piece, pop, portrait, Raff, Rob Potter, rock, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, Sam Wells, She Said, Shute, Shutes, stoked, surf, Surf Trip, surfboard, Surfer, surfing, Sweeter Marie, swell, The Bees, The Go! Team, The Noughties, The Shutes, Tim Wells, Ventnor, Waltz Alone, waves, Wells brothers, wetsuit, Who De Lang, wightsurfhistory | Comments Off on The Shutes