The dead formats

The dead formats

The dead formats are an Essex punk rock sextet from England. They build their sound around a refusal to stay within one genre, combining punk attitude with influences that draw on 1970s punk, Northern Soul and reggae. Their musical roots are linked to bands such as The Jam, The Buzzcocks and the Sex Pistols, while their broader sound is compared with Gallows and Lostprophets.

Formation and line-up

The band is based in Essex and presents itself as British in accent, style, attitude and influences. Its line-up includes vocalists Darren Ditton and Francis Waller, guitarist Glenn Wizik, guitarist Chris Spencer, bassist Jon Poulten and drummer James May. Poulten also speaks for the group about their approach to writing and the ideas behind their work.

Releases and sound

The Dead Formats release a self-titled mini album that receives strong critical notices, with comments from Kerrang and Rock Sound describing it as compelling and highly rated. Their debut full-length album, At Sixes And Sevens, is issued via Visible Noise and follows that mini album. The album title and much of its lyric writing reflect the atmosphere of recession, political apathy and a general sense of change, jadedness and confusion.

On At Sixes And Sevens, the band expands on the sound of the mini album, with buzzsaw guitars, a dual vocal approach and a heavy rhythm section. The group is also noted for using elements of soul, reggae and garage rock alongside punk rock.

Live work and related projects

The Dead Formats tour with a strong live reputation, with Rock Sound describing their touring as exceptional. They are personally chosen by Lostprophets to support them on UK dates. Outside the band, they run The Dead Formats Soundsystem, which plays a mix of Trojan, Tamla, Motown and garage rock in pubs and clubs across Essex.