Healy was originally the drummer, but took over vocals after the previous singer left to start another band. Their name was inspired by scribblings found in the back page of an old Beat poetry book dated "1 June, The 1975." The release of their first EP, entitled Facedown, in August 2012 saw the band's first UK airplay on national radio with lead track "The City", which featured as part of a BBC Introducing show with Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1. The 1975 once again garnered national radio attention in late 2012, with BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe championing their single "Sex." They found mainstream chart success in spring 2013 with single "Chocolate", which reached #19 in the UK singles chart.