Del Amitri

Del Amitri are a Glasgow-based rock group formed in 1980. They begin as a school band, set up by Justin Currie, James Scobbie and Donald Bentley when they are teenagers, in reaction to the other rock-leaning pupils at their school. The name is chosen because it sounds like a person’s name while meaning nothing in particular.

Early years and line-up changes

In the early period, the group keeps its activities quiet and rehearses first in Currie’s parents’ house, then in a hidden room behind storage cartons in the basement of Glasgow Art Centre. They later move into an official rehearsal space there, sharing the building with Aztec Camera, who rehearse next door. Paul Tyagi joins as the first drummer.

The first recorded Del Amitri track, “What she Calls it”, appears as the B-side of a flexi-disc distributed free with Stand and Deliver fanzine; The Bluebells receive the A-side. As none of the members can read music, early songs are arranged and remembered in sections, using names based on influences such as Genesis, Captain Beefheart and Orange Juice.

Bentley and Scobbie leave in 1982 to go to university. Currie then places an advert in a music shop window and forms a new line-up with Iain Harvie on lead guitar, Bryan Tolland on guitar and Tyagi on drums, alongside his own bass and vocals. Tyagi leaves after the first album, and Currie and Harvie remain the only constant members across the band’s history, also serving as the main songwriters. Other members associated with the group include Mick Slaven, Brian McDermott, David Cummings, Andy Alston, Ashley “Stixman” Soan, Jon McLoughlin, Kris Dollimore and Mark Price.

Recording and recognition

The band’s first non-flexi 45 single is “Crows in the Wheatfield”, with cover artwork by Laura Michael. Del Amitri become internationally known for the 1995 melodic rock hit “Roll to Me”. Jon McLoughlin records and tours with the band during Some Other Suckers Parade, and he dies in March 2005 from complications of diabetes.

Style

Del Amitri are associated with guitar-driven pop rock and are also classed within British, classic pop and rock, Scottish and UK rock. They remain active from 1980 to the present.