Fat Cops are Al Murray, Robert "Bobby Bluebell" Hodgens, Chris Deerin, Chris Ayre, Neil Murray, and Euan McColm. Their sound is described as "magnificent clatter" by writer and DJ Pete Paphides, while MOJO magazine said "if Black Grape had favoured Crunchies over crack, they might have sounded this sweet." Fat Cops' eponymous debut album features backing vocals from Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake.
Fat Cops were assembled by Bass Chris after he was bequeathed a black Rickenbacker bass guitar by his late aunt, Maggie Gulliver, who played it as a member of legendary 1970s Scottish girl group, The Wee Besoms. During an all-too-brief career, The Besoms appeared on bills with legends including The Ramones, The B52s, and The Cars. Their sole single, “Good Looking”, is covered by Fat Cops on their debut album, which Bass Chris admits is inspired in places by his aunt's band. He said: “When I picked up Maggie's guitar, it was like it was demanding to be played. One night after we'd all gone to see Al in his last ever race at the speedway, I played the rest of the guys the Besoms demos and they were hooked".
