Githead

Githead is a United Kingdom alternative rock group formed in 2004. The band features Colin Newman of Wire on guitar and vocals, Malka Spigel of Minimal Compact on bass and vocals, and Scanner, also known as Robin Rimbaud, on guitar. Max Franken joins the group on drums, making the live line-up a four-piece.

Formation and early releases

The group begins as a one-off project for the tenth anniversary celebrations of Newman’s Swim record label, but it soon develops into a regular band with its own sound. Its music is described as cyclical and hypnotic, with funk influences and an avant-pop edge. From the start, the band writes and rehearses in Swim’s studio, where ideas are recorded as they emerge and developed into finished material for release.

Githead’s debut EP, Headgit, appears in 2004, before the band has played its third live show. Work on the debut album, Profile, is already underway before the group has even played two gigs. The first three performances take place without a drummer, as the band initially works as a drummerless trio.

Albums and line-up

After the addition of Max Franken on drums, Githead continues as a four-piece and releases its second album, Art POP, in 2007. The group’s line-up centres on musicians already known from Wire, Minimal Compact and Scanner’s solo work, linking Githead to post-punk, alternative and electronic scenes while keeping its own distinct identity.