British India

British India

British India is an Australian indie rock and garage rock band from Melbourne, active since 2004. The group consists of Declan Melia on vocals and guitar, Nic Wilson on guitar, Will Drummond on bass, Matthew O'Gorman on drums, and Jack Tosi.

Formation and early years

The band forms when Melbourne school friends Declan Melia and Nic Wilson meet Will Drummond and Matt O'Gorman through mutual friends and ask them to join. They begin by rehearsing together and playing material by bands including Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Beatles, Blur and Starsailor. The name of the band comes from a title Wilson notices on a Strawberry Alarm Clock B-side.

Recordings and releases

After playing regularly across Australia for a year, the band signs with In-Fidelity Recordings in 2005 and starts work on its debut EP with producer Lindsay Gravina. In June 2005 it releases the single "Outside 109 / Automatic Blitzkrieg", followed by the EP Counter Culture on Shock Records in November 2005. The band later records its album Guillotine, produced by Harry Vanda, and the album is issued on Flashpoint Music. Another album, Theives, is recorded at Flashpoint Studios in April and May 2008.

Recognition

"Tie Up My Hands" reaches number one on the jtv music television programme. Guillotine is nominated for Triple J's J Award in 2007, and the band wins the AIR Award for Best New Independent Artist in December of that year.

Style and context

British India is described as an alternative rock band, with its listed styles including garage rock and indie rock. Its early work and recording history place it within the Melbourne independent rock scene.