Battle (band)
Encyclopedia
Battle were a UK
indie rock
band. They came to some prominence with a sound consisting largely of post-punk, spacious guitar hooks and dance-orientated beats, and have been compared to The Cure
, and New Order
/Joy Division
. Later recordings have grown increasingly organic and atmospheric and reveal a kinship with The Smiths
, Remain in Light era Talking Heads
and Arcade Fire. The name Battle can be seen as an incitement for the individual to fight for their passions. Many of Bavanandan's lyrics revolve around this central theme. However, the band were actually named after the small Sussex town of Battle
, where they formed. The band broke up around October 2007
, South East London in the mid-nineties. Having completed school, they both enrolled at the University of Kent
at Canterbury, with the intention of forming a band. The resulting band was Casper Jack. The music of Casper Jack was heavily informed by artists such as Oasis
and the Small Faces. When the group's original bassist left, Ellis was introduced to Tim Scudder, at which point the band's sound began to change. Influences such as The Strokes
, Joy Division
and Pixies began to inform the songwriting process. During this period, the band's keyboardist was dismissed, and the drummer left. The next academic year saw drummer, Oliver Davies join the band. The band changed their name first to Morphic Fields, and later to Killing Moon, the opening song in the film Donnie Darko
. The band later dropped the moniker when people increasingly (and mistakenly) assumed the influence of Echo & the Bunnymen
.
. Their next single, "Demons", was released on 26 September 2005 by their permanent label, Transgressive Records
and sold out its 1,500 copies in a day. After the free-download "Wicked Owl", the chart eligible "Tendency", reached #37 in the UK Singles Chart
. Next single "Children", was championed by Radio 1
DJ Zane Lowe
, and was 'hottest record in the world today' on his show.
, which featured new versions of "Wicked Owl" and "Tendency". The mini-album was critically acclaimed but not commercially successful. Several of the tracks were produced by Gareth Jones
and originally intended for the band's full debut album. "I Never Stopped" and "Easy to Listen to" were produced by the band and Jeff Knowler in June 2006. "Beautiful Dynasty" was released as a vinyl-only single in conjunction with Back to Earth.
was released on 3 September 2007, preceded by a single, "The Longest Time", released on 2 July 2007. Another single, "Paper Street", was released on 13 September 2007. The majority of the album was reputedly written in the six months preceding its recording.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band. They came to some prominence with a sound consisting largely of post-punk, spacious guitar hooks and dance-orientated beats, and have been compared to The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, and New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
/Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
. Later recordings have grown increasingly organic and atmospheric and reveal a kinship with The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, Remain in Light era Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
and Arcade Fire. The name Battle can be seen as an incitement for the individual to fight for their passions. Many of Bavanandan's lyrics revolve around this central theme. However, the band were actually named after the small Sussex town of Battle
Battle, East Sussex
Battle is a small town and civil parish in the local government district of Rother in East Sussex, England. It lies south southeast of London, east of Brighton and east of the county town of Lewes...
, where they formed. The band broke up around October 2007
Band members
- Jason Bavanandan – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Oliver Davies – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- James (Jamie) EllisJames Ellis (musician)James Ellis is a British music producer who previously played guitar with the indie rock group, Battle. He is the son of the journalist and author, Walter Ellis.- Sources :* Battle web site:...
– guitar - Tim Scudder – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Formation
Singer, Jason Bavanandan and guitarist, Jamie Ellis met at school in LewishamLewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, South East London in the mid-nineties. Having completed school, they both enrolled at the University of Kent
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
at Canterbury, with the intention of forming a band. The resulting band was Casper Jack. The music of Casper Jack was heavily informed by artists such as Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
and the Small Faces. When the group's original bassist left, Ellis was introduced to Tim Scudder, at which point the band's sound began to change. Influences such as The Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
, Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
and Pixies began to inform the songwriting process. During this period, the band's keyboardist was dismissed, and the drummer left. The next academic year saw drummer, Oliver Davies join the band. The band changed their name first to Morphic Fields, and later to Killing Moon, the opening song in the film Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko is a 2001 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Richard Kelly and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Noah Wyle, Jena Malone, and Mary McDonnell...
. The band later dropped the moniker when people increasingly (and mistakenly) assumed the influence of Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
.
Early singles
Their first single, "Isabelle" was released on 24 April 2005 on Fierce Panda RecordsFierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
. Their next single, "Demons", was released on 26 September 2005 by their permanent label, Transgressive Records
Transgressive Records
Transgressive Records is an independent record label based in London, England formed in 2004. Founders Tim Dellow, and Toby L first met at a Bloc Party gig organised by Toby's rockfeedback website. The first release on the label was 1am by The Subways, released in September 2004...
and sold out its 1,500 copies in a day. After the free-download "Wicked Owl", the chart eligible "Tendency", reached #37 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Next single "Children", was championed by Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJ Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
, and was 'hottest record in the world today' on his show.
Back to Earth - Mini-album
On 23 October 2006, Battle released the seven-track mini-album, Back to EarthBack to Earth (Battle album)
Back to Earth is an EP which was released by Battle on October 23, 2006. It contains a lot of material that was due to be released on the band's debut album Break the Banks. After plans for its release fell through, this mini-album was produced ahead of a re-written version of Break the Banks which...
, which featured new versions of "Wicked Owl" and "Tendency". The mini-album was critically acclaimed but not commercially successful. Several of the tracks were produced by Gareth Jones
Gareth Jones (music producer)
Gareth Jones is an English music producer and engineer notable for working with Depeche Mode, Einstürzende Neubauten, Wire and Erasure.-Background:Gareth Jones is married and currently living in North London....
and originally intended for the band's full debut album. "I Never Stopped" and "Easy to Listen to" were produced by the band and Jeff Knowler in June 2006. "Beautiful Dynasty" was released as a vinyl-only single in conjunction with Back to Earth.
Break the Banks
In June 2006, copies of the Gareth Jones sessions were leaked in plain black cases under the title Break the Banks. This was reputedly originally intended to be the band's debut album. The album was never released, though several tracks were included on Back to Earth. The band put the absence of a full-debut down to a marked improvement and prolificness in their song-writing. A new album, also titled Break the BanksBreak the Banks
Break the Banks is the first LP from London based indie rock band Battle. It was released on September 3, 2007.-Track listing:All songs written by Jason Bavanandan...
was released on 3 September 2007, preceded by a single, "The Longest Time", released on 2 July 2007. Another single, "Paper Street", was released on 13 September 2007. The majority of the album was reputedly written in the six months preceding its recording.
Albums
- Back to EarthBack to Earth (Battle album)Back to Earth is an EP which was released by Battle on October 23, 2006. It contains a lot of material that was due to be released on the band's debut album Break the Banks. After plans for its release fell through, this mini-album was produced ahead of a re-written version of Break the Banks which...
(23 October 2006) - Break the BanksBreak the BanksBreak the Banks is the first LP from London based indie rock band Battle. It was released on September 3, 2007.-Track listing:All songs written by Jason Bavanandan...
(3 September 2007)
Singles
- "Isabelle/Feel the Same" (24 April 2005) UK: #98
- "Demons" (26 September 2005)
- "Tendency" (13 March 2006) UK: #37
- "Children" (5 June 2006) UK: #60
- "The Longest Time" (2 July 2007)
- "Paper Street" (13 September 2007)
Artwork
The cover art for Battle's first four singles and full-length album was painted by Bavanandan's younger sister, Melissa.External links
- Official website
- Myspace Area
- TheMusicZine Interview
- Battle at Crossthepondmusic.com
- Livejournal Community
- Battle photos by Ian Miller