¡Forward, Russia!

¡Forward, Russia!

¡Forward, Russia! are an alternative rock and indie rock group from Leeds, United Kingdom. The band forms in 2004 and is active until 2014. Its line-up consists of Tom Woodhead on vocals and synthesizer, Rob Canning on bass, Sam “Whiskas” Nicholls on guitar, vocals and synthesizer, and Katie Nicholls on drums and vocals.

Releases and label

The band releases two albums: Give Me a Wall and Life Processes. Give Me a Wall is self-released through Dance to the Radio, the label founded by the band to distribute its own recordings. Dance to the Radio later also releases records by The Pigeon Detectives and Grammatics.

Singles and charting releases

Early releases include the split single “Nine” with fellow Leeds band This Et Al, the double A-side “Thirteen” / “Fourteen”, and “Twelve”, which reaches number 36 in the UK Singles Chart. “Nine” is later issued on its own and reaches number 40 in the UK Singles Chart. “Breaking Standing” precedes Life Processes.

Style and presentation

The band’s sound is marked by trebly guitars and abstract, cryptic lyrics. Until “Don’t Be A Doctor” in 2007, songs are titled by the order in which they are written, using simple numbers such as One, Two, Three and Four. Their visual identity includes identical T-shirts printed with the band’s exclamation mark emblem.

Live activity and hiatus

¡Forward, Russia! build a reputation through sell-out headline tours, support slots with acts such as Editors and We Are Scientists, and festival appearances in Europe, including Reading and Leeds. They also play SXSW in Austin, Texas in 2006. The band is noted for energetic performances, with Tom Woodhead often moving across the stage dramatically. In 2008 the group announces an indefinite hiatus after a final concert.

Later activity

After the hiatus, Whiskas plays guitar with Duels.