British India (band)
Encyclopedia
British India are an Australian indie rock
and garage rock
band. The band formed in Melbourne in 2004, comprising lead vocalist, lyricist and guitarist Declan Melia, guitarist Nic Wilson, bassist Will Drummond and drummer Matt O'Gorman. They have released three studio albums.
, in Melbourne, Australia, in 2004. Reportedly social misfits throughout high school, the band would converge during school lunchtimes and study periods to rehearse and compose in the school music room and as this occurred the quartet played cover versions of songs by the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
, The Beatles
, Blur
, and Starsailor
. The band's name was originally noticed by Wilson on a b-side by Strawberry Alarm Clock
. In 2005, after playing regularly across Australia for a year, the band signed with In-Fidelity Recordings
and began work on their debut EP
, with producer Lindsay Gravina. In June 2005 they released a single
, "Outside 109 / Automatic Blitzkrieg". The song's inspiration came from a quip made by Mick Jagger
in an interview in 1964. Melia told Australian Music Online
the song's lyrics referred to the band's gig
ging in Melbourne, and "being just outside of international recognition".
On 21 November 2005, the band released their debut EP
Counter Culture, on Flashpoint Records
. Following recording at Sydney's Flashpoint Studios with studio owner Harry Vanda. Drummond said that in recording the EP, the band "crammed all their great ideas " onto it.
, until finally making their break with 2007 single "Tie Up My Hands
", taking the number one spot in the jtv
music television programme. Along with the single, in 2007 they released their debut album, Guillotine
, which was produced by Harry Vanda
. Guillotine was also nominated for Triple J's J Award
in 2007, as well as winning the AIR Award for Best New Independent Artist. Through the 11 months following the release of Guillotine, British India played to an array of sold out shows and also at music festivals Big Day Out
, Homebake
, Golden Plains, The Falls Festival, Splendour in the Grass
, Pyramid Rock Festival
,Groovin' the Moo and Come Together Music Festival
.
In April and May 2008, British India recorded a second album, again going to Flashpoint Studios
to record their second album, Thieves
. The album was released just 12 months after their debut and found massive success on the Australian national charts, entering the ARIA Album Chart
at #5. The first single to be released from the album was titled "I Said I'm Sorry
".
In September 2009 they released the single "Vanilla", which was made available for free download on Triple J's website. Their third studio album was also announced and entitled Avalanche, set for release in March 2010. They recorded the album opposite Matchbox Twenty
singer Rob Thomas
in Melbourne's Sing Sing Studios over a couple of months.
On 17 August 2010, British India featured on the TV soap Neighbours playing in "Charlie's Bar" on Ringo's bucks night. When interviewed on the subject Declan Melia called the decision to appear "A real misstep of integrity, by appearing on the show we were helping confirm the very mediocrity we'd been trying to defy every step of our musical career".
And they also played on Hey Hey It's Saturday and the Grand Final edition of Before the Game.
Australian indie rock
Australian indie rock is part of the overall flow of Australian rock history but has a distinct history somewhat separate from mainstream rock in Australia, largely from the end of the punk rock era onwards.-Beginnings:...
and garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band. The band formed in Melbourne in 2004, comprising lead vocalist, lyricist and guitarist Declan Melia, guitarist Nic Wilson, bassist Will Drummond and drummer Matt O'Gorman. They have released three studio albums.
Formation and early work
The members of British India met at high school, forming when friends Declan Melia and Nic Wilson asked schoolmates Will Drummond and Matt O'Gorman to join their band, whilst attending St. Bede's CollegeSt Bede's College (Mentone)
St Bede's College is a Roman Catholic, secondary school for boys, located in Mentone, Victoria, Australia.Founded in 1938, it is administered by the De La Salle Brothers and named after St. Bede the Venerable, a Benedictine monk and priest who spent his life teaching and writing in the...
, in Melbourne, Australia, in 2004. Reportedly social misfits throughout high school, the band would converge during school lunchtimes and study periods to rehearse and compose in the school music room and as this occurred the quartet played cover versions of songs by the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, now based in Los Angeles. BRMC is known for their garage rock, blues, folk revival, neo-psychedelia sound. They are influenced by bands such as: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, T...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
, and Starsailor
Starsailor (band)
Starsailor is an English post-britpop band, formed in Leigh, Warrington and Greater Manchester. By 2009, they had four charting albums and ten Top 40 singles in the UK since 2001.-Early history:...
. The band's name was originally noticed by Wilson on a b-side by Strawberry Alarm Clock
Strawberry Alarm Clock
Strawberry Alarm Clock is a psychedelic rock band from Los Angeles best known for their 1967 hit "Incense and Peppermints". The group took its name as an homage to the Beatles' psychedelic hit "Strawberry Fields Forever", reportedly, at the suggestion of their record company Uni Records.They are...
. In 2005, after playing regularly across Australia for a year, the band signed with In-Fidelity Recordings
In-Fidelity Recordings
In-Fidelity Recordings is a record label founded in September 2002 by Bruce Milne and Steven Stavrakis.Bruce Milne established the Au Go Go label and Stavrakis was co-founder of Waterfront Records and Fellaheen. Between them they have worked with such seminal Australian acts as Magic Dirt,...
and began work on their debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, with producer Lindsay Gravina. In June 2005 they released a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Outside 109 / Automatic Blitzkrieg". The song's inspiration came from a quip made by Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
in an interview in 1964. Melia told Australian Music Online
Australian Music Online
Australian Music Online is a website that indexes information related to Australian music. Launched in March 2003 as an Australian Federal Government initiative, and originally proposed in 1998, the website was actively updated until 31 March 2007, at which point its role transferred to that of an...
the song's lyrics referred to the band's gig
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
ging in Melbourne, and "being just outside of international recognition".
On 21 November 2005, the band released their debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Counter Culture, on Flashpoint Records
Flashpoint Music
Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:...
. Following recording at Sydney's Flashpoint Studios with studio owner Harry Vanda. Drummond said that in recording the EP, the band "crammed all their great ideas " onto it.
National success
British India spent a couple of years receiving "premature hype" from the likes of Australian radio station Triple JTriple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
, until finally making their break with 2007 single "Tie Up My Hands
Tie Up My Hands
Tie Up My Hands is the second single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their debut album Guillotine. During 2007, it reached the top of the chart on JTV's countdown show, and was #46 on the triple j Hot 100 for 2007.-Track listing:...
", taking the number one spot in the jtv
Jtv
triple j tv is the name given to a series of Australian television programmes which started broadcast in July 2006 as a television spin-off of national radio broadcaster Triple J. They are broadcast on ABC1 and ABC2 as well as available online...
music television programme. Along with the single, in 2007 they released their debut album, Guillotine
Guillotine (British India album)
Guillotine is the debut studio album by Australian indie rock band British India, released on 30 June 2007. It reached #4 on the AIR Charts July 2007 and was selected as Triple J's Feature Album in that month and was also nominated for the 2007 J Awards...
, which was produced by Harry Vanda
Harry Vanda
Harry Vanda , is a Dutch-born Australian popular music singer, guitarist, songwriter and record producer.-Career:...
. Guillotine was also nominated for Triple J's J Award
J Award
The J Award is an award given by influential Australian youth radio station Triple J to Australian Album of the Year. It is judged by a panel of members of the music industry, led by Richard Kingsmill...
in 2007, as well as winning the AIR Award for Best New Independent Artist. Through the 11 months following the release of Guillotine, British India played to an array of sold out shows and also at music festivals Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
, Homebake
Homebake
Homebake is an annual Australian rock festival, featuring an all-Australian lineup . The festival was first held on 4 January 1996 at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, on the far north coast of New South Wales...
, Golden Plains, The Falls Festival, Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is an annual Australian music festival held in July at Woodford, Queensland, and previously held at Belongil Fields, outside Byron Bay...
, Pyramid Rock Festival
Pyramid Rock Festival
The Pyramid Rock Festival is a New Year's Eve camp-out rock music festival at Pyramid Rock, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.Beginning in 2004, it runs over two nights with two stages - the Main Stage, and the Pharaoh's Annex...
,Groovin' the Moo and Come Together Music Festival
Come Together Music Festival
Come Together is an all-ages Australian music festival performed at Luna Park Sydney. Beginning in 2005, it was originally two separate events, one in April and one in September. In 2006, a two-day festival was held in June , and the festival was again on the same long weekend in 2007...
.
In April and May 2008, British India recorded a second album, again going to Flashpoint Studios
Flashpoint Music
Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:...
to record their second album, Thieves
Thieves (album)
Thieves is the second studio album by Australian indie rock band British India, released on 19 July 2008, but also sold early by the band at album launch parties. Thieves was also selected as Triple J's Feature Album in that month, beating both The Vines' album Melodia as well as The Living End's...
. The album was released just 12 months after their debut and found massive success on the Australian national charts, entering the ARIA Album Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
at #5. The first single to be released from the album was titled "I Said I'm Sorry
I Said I'm Sorry
I Said I'm Sorry is the first single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their second studio album Thieves. The song contains "brooding pop melodies" typical of British India's highly successful debut album, Guillotine. The song was 37th in the 2008 Triple J hottest 100 countdown,...
".
In September 2009 they released the single "Vanilla", which was made available for free download on Triple J's website. Their third studio album was also announced and entitled Avalanche, set for release in March 2010. They recorded the album opposite Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty is an American rock band, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995...
singer Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas (musician)
Robert Kelly "Rob" Thomas is an American rock recording artist and songwriter. He is the primary songwriter and lead singer of the band Matchbox Twenty. Thomas also records and performs as a solo artist...
in Melbourne's Sing Sing Studios over a couple of months.
On 17 August 2010, British India featured on the TV soap Neighbours playing in "Charlie's Bar" on Ringo's bucks night. When interviewed on the subject Declan Melia called the decision to appear "A real misstep of integrity, by appearing on the show we were helping confirm the very mediocrity we'd been trying to defy every step of our musical career".
And they also played on Hey Hey It's Saturday and the Grand Final edition of Before the Game.
Albums
- GuillotineGuillotine (British India album)Guillotine is the debut studio album by Australian indie rock band British India, released on 30 June 2007. It reached #4 on the AIR Charts July 2007 and was selected as Triple J's Feature Album in that month and was also nominated for the 2007 J Awards...
- 30 June 2007 - ThievesThieves (album)Thieves is the second studio album by Australian indie rock band British India, released on 19 July 2008, but also sold early by the band at album launch parties. Thieves was also selected as Triple J's Feature Album in that month, beating both The Vines' album Melodia as well as The Living End's...
- 19 July 2008 - AUS#5 (ARIA Album Chart) - AvalancheAvalanche (British India album)Avalanche is the third studio album by the Australian indie rock band British India, released through Shock Records on 30 April 2010.Four bootleg live studio demos were released for sale in a package with the album at JB Hi-Fi...
- 30 April 2010 - AUS#10 (ARIA Album Chart)
Singles
- "Outside 109 / Automatic Blitzkrieg" (2005)
- "Black & White RadioBlack & White RadioBlack & White Radio is the first single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their debut album Guillotine.-Track listing:-Release history:-External links:* *...
" (2006) - "Tie Up My HandsTie Up My HandsTie Up My Hands is the second single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their debut album Guillotine. During 2007, it reached the top of the chart on JTV's countdown show, and was #46 on the triple j Hot 100 for 2007.-Track listing:...
" (2007) - "Run the Red LightRun the Red LightRun the Red Light is the third single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their debut album Guillotine. It debuted at Number 5 on Jtv before rising to number 3 the following week....
" (2007) AUS#50 / AUS#22 (ARIA Physical Singles Chart) - "I Said I'm SorryI Said I'm SorryI Said I'm Sorry is the first single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their second studio album Thieves. The song contains "brooding pop melodies" typical of British India's highly successful debut album, Guillotine. The song was 37th in the 2008 Triple J hottest 100 countdown,...
" (2008) - "God Is Dead, Meet the Kids" (2009)
- "Vanilla" (2009)
- "Beneath the Satellites" (2010)
- "Avalanche" (2010)
- "March Into the Ocean" (2011)
Compilation appearances
- Discoveries (2007) – "Black & White Radio"
- Triple J Hottest 100 Vol.15 (2007) - "Tie Up My Hands"
- Triple J's Like a Version 4 (2008) - "And I Was a Boy from School"
Music videos
| Music video information |
|---|
| Black & White Radio Black & White Radio Black & White Radio is the first single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their debut album Guillotine.-Track listing:-Release history:-External links:* *...
|
| Tie Up My Hands Tie Up My Hands Tie Up My Hands is the second single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their debut album Guillotine. During 2007, it reached the top of the chart on JTV's countdown show, and was #46 on the triple j Hot 100 for 2007.-Track listing:... Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| Run the Red Light Run the Red Light Run the Red Light is the third single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their debut album Guillotine. It debuted at Number 5 on Jtv before rising to number 3 the following week.... Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| I Said I'm Sorry I Said I'm Sorry I Said I'm Sorry is the first single by Australian rock group British India, taken from their second studio album Thieves. The song contains "brooding pop melodies" typical of British India's highly successful debut album, Guillotine. The song was 37th in the 2008 Triple J hottest 100 countdown,... Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| God Is Dead, Meet the Kids
Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| Vanilla
Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| Beneath the Satellites
Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| Avalanche
Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| 90 Ways to Leave Your Lover
Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| Because of You
Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |
| March Into the Ocean
Flashpoint Music Flashpoint Music is an independent production house and record label based in Australia specialising in rock and pop. Flashpoint Records and Flashpoint Music Publishing are associated companies.-History:... |