The Blueskins were formed in 1999 by Ryan Spendlove and Paul Brown in Gawthorpe, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England; Ryan Spendlove provided lead vocals and guitar. After meeting at music college, the duo recruited Matthew Smith and Ritchie Townend, creating a four‑piece rock group that soon attracted attention from A&R representatives. In 2003 the band signed with Domino Records and released the Magic Road EP and the single "User Friendly", followed by the album Word Of Mouth on 26 April 2004; the single "Stupid Ones" peaked at UK number 61. In 2004 the single "Change My Mind" reached UK number 56. The band toured Europe and the United States and recorded in Mississippi with producer Dennis Herring. A lineup change in 2005 saw Matthew Smith and Ritchie Townend depart and be replaced by Andrei Nosov and Tom Bailey, bringing new influences; the group spent 2006 writing and touring, re‑releasing "Change My Mind" in October 2006, though it received limited airplay. Domino Records ended its partnership with the band later that year, and The Blueskins disbanded in April 2008 after a final local performance. Following the split, Ryan Spendlove pursued a solo career, signing with Candyrat Records in 2011 and releasing Fable in April 2011; he followed with In Another World in 2012.