That Fucking Tank

That Fucking Tank

That Fucking Tank is a Leeds, United Kingdom math rock group active since 1992, made up of Andy Abbott and James Islip. The duo forms around a long-running partnership between friends who met at school, and the band develops from a one-off performance into a sustained project.

Style and approach

The group works on DIY principles, handling booking, recording and other practical tasks themselves. Their stated approach aims to create alternative spaces outside standard music industry structures and challenges the idea that good music must be made professionally. Abbott plays a specially tuned baritone guitar through both guitar and bass amplifiers, while Islip uses a minimal drum kit.

Performances and touring

That Fucking Tank builds a reputation through energetic, very loud performances and regular touring across the United Kingdom and Europe. They share stages and tours with bands including Hella, Q and Not U, Lungfish, Oxes, Unsane, Kid Commando, GI Joe, Chevreuil, Grabba Grabba Tape, Poltergroom, US Maple, Neptune, Whitehouse, AIDS Wolf, Vialka, Nervous Kid, Don Caballero, The Fucking Champs and Hoover.

Recordings

The band’s early releases include Document of the First Set and Day of Death by Bono Adrenalin Shock, both issued by Jealous Records. Tanknology appears on Gringo Records and draws positive mainstream press attention, becoming central to the live set for the following period. The third album, TFT, is described by the band as an autobiographical concept album about the pair’s music journey over two decades; it first appears in a short vinyl run and is later released by Gringo Records.

Notable appearances

In 2008, the band plays on the same bill as Metallica at Leeds and Reading Festivals.