Mumm-Ra

Mumm-Ra

Mumm-Ra are an indie rock band from Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom. They form in 2000 and are active from 2001 onwards. The group consists of James New on vocals, keyboard and guitar, Oli Frost on guitar, Niall Buckler on bass, James Arguile on guitar, and Gareth Jennings on drums. The verified members are James Arguile and James New.

Name and style

The band takes its name from a character in the American animated television series ThunderCats, described in the input as a mummy of the Egyptian god Ra. Their music is also described as classic pop and rock, alongside indie rock.

Releases and early activity

The band’s first release is a limited clear 7-inch issued on tour or online in April 2006. It contains a demo version of “What Would Steve Do?” backed with “Song E”, and each copy includes a postcard signed by a band member. Their first major EP, Black Hurts Day And The Night Rolls On, receives favourable reviews and is noted for showing the range of the group, from “Song B” to “The Temple”.

They follow this with the single “Out Of The Question” and then “What Would Steve Do?”, before releasing “She’s Got You High” and the debut album These Things Move In Threes in 2007.

Live work and collaborations

Mumm-Ra build a live reputation through support slots with acts including The Kooks, Fields, The Automatic, Jamie T, The Longcut and The Killers. Live favourites named in the input include “Now Or Never”, “Out Of The Question”, “She’s Got You High” and “North Of France”.

Split and return

The band ends in 2008 after nearly eight years together, but returns to live performance in 2012. In 2013 they announce a full comeback with new material, releasing the tracks “Technicolour”, “Your Father’s Son” and “Jeremy” across that year. An eight-track EP, Back to the Shore, follows.

Musical description

The group describes its own music as “pop music that sweeps and sways” and aims to do justice to the music that makes them “get up in the morning”.