Since their formation in 1996, Gomez have enjoyed rave reviews for their music and live shows. They’ve taken home several esteemed music awards, including the Mercury Music Prize in 1998 for their debut album, Bring It On.

While the critics and fans rave about the band, Gomez haven’t been able to latch on to radio airwaves.

Without solid radio support, Gomez worked on building their audience by playing live. But it wasn’t easy in the beginning. For starters, they hadn’t played a single gig until after getting signed to Virgin Records.

“We were shit when we first started – really bad, had no concept of how to perform in front of people, ” guitarist Ian Ball told POLLSTAR. But nabbing a record deal lit a fire under the band. “We were like, ‘Well, we’re not going to give up this opportunity. So we better start figuring out how to do it – quick.'”

And quick they did, starting with their first Stateside tour in 1998. Since then, Gomez have consistently filled notable clubs with their laid-back, blues-tinged electronic rock.

Gomez released their third album In Our Gun, earlier this year, with some critics labeling it the band’s best offering to date.