18 Wheeler

18 Wheeler formed in Aberdeen in 1990, Steven Haddow's songwriting giving the band a quality that was immediately distinctive. They signed to Creation Records and spent several years developing their sound — melodic, guitar-driven indie with a warmth and directness that set them apart from the more experimental end of the label's roster.

'Formanka' (1994) was their debut album — a strong collection that showed the band's range. 'Cranefly', 'Suncrush', and 'Anorak City' were all excellent singles. The album received strong reviews but limited commercial attention. 'Year Zero' (1997) was a more ambitious follow-up that showed the band developing, but Creation dropped them shortly after.

18 Wheeler split in 1997, leaving behind a small but perfectly formed catalogue that has been reassessed positively in recent years. They remain one of the most underrated bands of the Creation Records era — a band who had everything except the right moment.