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| File:Britishseapowerpromo.jpg | |
| Background information | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Members | Hamilton, Yan, Noble, Eamon, Woody |
British Sea Power are a five-man band based in Brighton, England. They are an indie rock band who have a sweeping, often epic, guitar pop sound. This is often compared to Echo & the Bunnymen and The Smiths. The vocals owe much to David Bowie and on some songs the post-punk influence of Joy Division is clear.
History
British Sea Power are:
- Yan - Vocals, guitar
- Noble - Guitar
- Hamilton - Bass, vocals, guitar
- Woody - Drums
- Eamon - Keyboards, marching drum
The band formed around 2000 when Yan recruited his brother Hamilton and schoolfriend Woody and convinced them to move to Reading where he was at University. Joined by friend Noble who was also at Reading University, they played some gigs in Reading before relocating to Brighton in search of a more vibrant music scene. In Brighton BSP amassed a strong local following, due mainly to their own club night called 'Club Sea Power' which was most frequently hosted at the Freebutt and the now deceased Lift club. In September 2001 BSP signed to Rough Trade records. Eamon was recruited to play live keyboards in Autumn 2002, beginning on a tour supporting Gene. The band released their debut album, The Decline of British Sea Power in June 2003 to critical acclaim. However, the album only charted in the lower reaches of the UK Top 75 Album Chart but turned out to be a word of mouth success, shipping well over 60,000 copies over the following two years and allowing them to play sellout UK tours to venues of over 1000 people. The follow-up, Open Season, was released in early April 2005, and also enjoyed wide critical praise as well as charting at no. 13 in the UK Top 75 Album Chart. It showcased a more accesible, produced sound. Lead single "It Ended on an Oily Stage" charted at no. 18 in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart a week earlier.
British Sea Power have a reputation for incendiary live shows. The BSP stage is often decorated with foliage and plastic birds. Sets generally finish with a semi-improvised song called "Rock in A", which can generally last for over 10 minutes. Various members often climb riggings, and tear down the foilage. Eamon walks around the audience beating his marching drum. And a ten-foot bear, Ursine Ultra, occasionally makes an appearance, often taking a beating from various band members. This has become one of the signatures of the band. British Sea Power won the Time Out London Live band of the year award 2004. Their tours often include unusual venues such as the Scillonian club on the Isles of Scilly, Grasmere Village Hall and the St. John Boste Social Club in Kendal.
The band are currently believed to be working on a new material, possibly in the form on an EP, for release in late 2005.
Miscellaneous
- The members of the band are avid birdwatchers and amateur ornithologists, often putting stuffed birds on the stage with them during shows.
UK Discography
Albums
- The Decline of British Sea Power (2003)
- Open Season (2005)
Singles & EPs
- Fear Of Drowning (2001)
- Remember Me (2001)
- The Lonely (2002)
- Childhood Memories (2002)
- Carrion/Apologies To Insect Life (2003)
- Remember Me (2003 re-release)
- A Lovely Day Tomorrow (2004)
- It Ended On an Oily Stage (2005)
- Please Stand Up (2005)
References to People, Places, and Things
The band is well-noted for referencing often obscure things in their lyrics.
- Charles Lindbergh, in "The Spirit of St. Louis".
- The assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in "A Lovely Day Tomorrow"
- Larsen B ice shelf in "Oh Larsen B"
- Lullington Church in "The Smallest Church in Sussex"
- Fyodor Dostoevsky in "Apologies to Insect Life"
- Field Marshall Montgomery in "Favours in the Beetroot Fields"
- Kattegat (a bay bordered by Sweden and Denmark) in "Lately"
- The Trojan Horse in "A Wooden Horse"
- William Shakespeare in "Something Wicked"
External links
- Official Website
- Salty Water - Exhaustive fansite featuring gigography, discography and profiles
- A Lovely Day Tomorrow - Old fansite, no longer updated
- The difference between a cow and a sheep - the British Sea Power interview experience
- Brilliantine Mortality - Fansite containing fan reviews and audio links