theaudience, a London‑based English rock group formed in 1996, featured lead vocalist Sophie Ellis‑Bextor, drummer Patrick Hannan, keyboardist Nigel Butler, guitarist Dean Mollett, bassist Kerin Smith, and guitarist Billy Reeves. The band’s debut single, "I Got the Wherewithal", entered the UK Singles Chart in early 1997, followed by "If You Can't Do It When You're Young; When Can You Do It?" and "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed" in 1998, all reaching the Top 40. On 17 August 1998, theaudience released its self‑titled album theaudience under Mercury Records; the record peaked at Number 22 on the UK Albums Chart and received critical acclaim. The group recorded a further 33 tracks for a second album in 1998‑1999, but Mercury rejected the material and dropped the band, leading to its split in 1999. A fan‑made bootleg titled Quiet Storm surfaced in 2009, containing approximately half of the unreleased songs. After the disbandment, Sophie Ellis‑Bextor pursued a solo career, achieving success with the dance‑pop hit "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" in 2000.
