Grammatics

Grammatics are an indie rock band from Leeds, United Kingdom. The group forms in 2006 and is active until 2010. Its line-up centres on Owen Brinley, with Dominic Ord involved at the formation stage, and the band’s personnel changes over time also include Rebecca Dumican, Rory O’Hara, Michael Repeat, Emilia Ergin and Lins Wilson. In their final line-up, Owen Brinley handles vocals, guitar, sampler, keys and omnichord, Lins Wilson plays cello and sings, James Field is on drums, and Rory O’Hara plays bass, sings, and adds keys, percussion and stage banter.

The band begins after Brinley’s previous group, Colour Of Fire, ends. Grammatics spend their early months writing and rewriting material before starting live performances in October 2006. Their concerts quickly build them a reputation on the Leeds scene for intricate, carefully prepared performances.

The track “The Shipping Forecast” appears as the opening song on Dance To The Radio’s Something I Learned Today compilation, which helps bring them wider attention. They also release a Japanese EP in 2007 and a debut 7-inch on Dance To The Radio, both of which sell out. After touring with Bloc Party on the “Bloctober” tour and playing a hometown headline slot at Brainwash Festival, the band’s live profile continues to grow.

Grammatics later release the single “Double Negative” in 2009. They record demos during a winter period away from the stage, then return to live shows in Leeds, York and London ahead of appearances at SXSW in Austin, Texas. New songs played at that time include “Stalinesque”, “Mutant Rev”, “Cedars Sinai”, “Stankin” and “Church Of The Great”. Financial problems lead to the group’s split in 2010, and they plan a final EP, Krupt, through a fan-funded campaign.