The Wytches
The Wytches are an English rock band formed in 2011 in Peterborough. Following their formation, the band were based in Brighton.[5] The band consists of singer-songwriter Kristian Bell, bassist Daniel Rumsey and keyboardist/guitarist Mark Breed. Drummer Gianni Honey left the band in 2019.
The Wytches | |
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![]() The Wytches by Glashier | |
Background information | |
Also known as | The Witches (2011–2012) |
Origin | Peterborough, England |
Genres | |
Years active | 2011–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
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Website | www.thewytches.net/ |
Members |
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Past members |
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History
Kristian Bell and Gianni Honey had previously played together in The Crooked Canes in their hometown of Peterborough, whom the duo later dismissed as being "really adolescent and embarrassing".[6] Honey was taught by former Morrissey drummer Spike T. Smith and played in local bands, Through Fire This Fall,[7] the Joy Division influenced The Proles[8] and metalcore band Khalo.[9]
Following the split of The Crooked Canes, the duo moved to Brighton to attend university and advertised around campus for a bassist. Daniel Rumsey was the only person to respond and joined the band. Rumsey was a singer-songwriter originally from Dorset who had fronted the "horror punk" band Fall Victim before moving to Brighton where he fronted Dan Rumsey & The Bitter End[10] and The Voyage Andromeda.[11] Initially called The Witches, the band changed the spelling to Wytches to make their band name more easily found on Google.[12] The band originally featured second guitarist Mark Breed, with whom Bell later started a side project with called the Mark and Kristian Band. The band released their debut single Beehive Queen in June 2013 via Hate Hate Hate Records[13] and follow up single Robe For Juda in November 2013.[6] In September 2013 the band released a low key limited edition cassette Thunder Lizard Revisited.[14] The band released their debut US single Crying Clown (originally the b-side to the band's debut UK single) via Fat Possum Records in November 2013.[15]
On 4 February 2014, the band announced they had signed with Heavenly Recordings and released Gravedweller as a free digital single.[16] The band also signed to Partisan Records in the US.[17]
The band released their debut album Annabel Dream Reader in August 2014.[18] The album was recorded over two days at Toe Rag Studios in Hackney, London and co-produced by Bell and former Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones.[19] The album was recorded and mixed by Luke Oldfield on an 8-track Studer A80.[20] It reached number 50 in the UK Albums Chart.[21]
In August 2016, Mark Breed joined the band as a permanent member. In September 2016 they released their second album All Your Happy Life.[22]
In 2018, the band parted ways with their UK record label Heavenly Recordings and US record label Partisan, leaving them unsigned.[23] In March 2019, the band pulled out of a planned UK support tour with Drenge plus several warm up dates, citing "unforeseen circumstances".[24] In October 2019, the band played 3 gigs as a 3-piece, with Gianni Honey replaced by Demelza Mather.[25]
In May 2020 Daniel Rumsey released an EP called The Darkest Day from a new side project called Dan Rumsey & The Dark Days.[26]
On 10 June 2020, the band released new single Cowboy via their own label Cable Code Records. The band confirmed that Gianni Honey had left the band, revealing that the band "were disheartened by the whole thing. All the work that goes into getting a band off its feet and into the public felt like something we’d have to try all over again". Session drummer Demelza Mather had toured with the band, but hasn't been announced as an official member of the band.[27][28]
Band members
- Current members
- Kristian Bell – lead vocals, guitar (2011–present)
- Daniel Rumsey – bass, backing vocals (2011–present)
- Mark Breed – keyboards, guitar (2016–present)[29]
- Former members
- Gianni Honey – drums (2011–2019)
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
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UK | ||
Annabel Dream Reader | 50 | |
All Your Happy Life |
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Three Mile Ditch |
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EPs
- The Witches (2012, self released)
- Thunder Lizard Revisited (2013, Hate Hate Hate)
- Gravedweller (2014, Heavenly)
- Thunder Lizard's Reprieve (2015, Scion Audio/Visual)
- Home Recordings (2016, self released)
Singles
Title | Year | Album |
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"Robe For Juda"[30] | 2013 | Annabel Dream Reader |
"Crying Clown"[31] | ||
"Digsaw" / "House of Mirrors"[32] | ||
"Gravedweller"[33] | 2014 | |
"Wire Frame Mattress"[34] | ||
"Burn Out the Bruise"[35] | ||
"C-Side"[36] | 2016 | All Your Happy Life |
"Crest of Death"[37] | ||
"Double World"[38] | 2017 | non-album single |
"Cowboy"[39] | 2020 | non-album single |
References
- "Radar Band Of The Week - The Wytches - NME". NME. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- "The Wytches premiere aggressive new song "Wasteybois" — listen". Consequence of Sound. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- "The Wytches discography". RateYourMusic.com.
- "THE WYTCHES | LIVE REVIEW • Buzz Magazine". Buzz Magazine. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "New Band of the Day: The Wytches". The Guardian. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- "Radar Band Of The Week - The Wytches". New Musical Express. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- "Through Fire This Fall :: 5-piece ALTERNATIVE-ROCK band". 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- "The Proles - About - Facebook". Facebook.com.
- "Download This: Khalo". Peterboroughtoday.co.uk. 9 February 2009.
- "Dan Rumsey & The Bitter End's Songs". Reverbnation.com.
- "About The Crew". 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- Day, Natt (28 June 2013). "Interview: The Wytches » 7Bit Arcade". 7bitarcade.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- "The Wytches (Sailor Jerry Presents show) - RFB". Rockfeedback.com.
- "The Wytches Announce The Release Of 'Thunder Lizard Revisited' Ep On Limited Cassette". Contactmusic.com. 20 September 2013.
- "American Wrestlers Share "Hello, Dear", Now Premiering via DIY – Announce More Tour Dates". Fatpossum.com.
- "| Heavenly Recordings". 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- "UK band The Wytches sign to Partisan, readying debut LP, playing SXSW (dates, streams)". Brooklynvegan.com.
- Heller, Jason (27 August 2014). "The Wytches: Annabel Dream Reader Album Review". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- "The Wytches – Partisan Records". Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- "Tilehouse Studios - Timeline - Facebook". facebook.com.
- "WYTCHES | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- "The Wytches - All Your Happy Life". Diymag.com. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- "Artists ← Partisan Records". Partisanrecords.com.
- "STRANGE CREATURES UK TOUR". Facebook.com.
- Franks, Richard (13 September 2019). "The Wytches announce return with intimate Birmingham gig". Counteract.co.
- "Dan Rumsey & The Dark Days - The Darkest Day (Self-Released)". God Is In The TV. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- https://www.clashmusic.com/news/the-wytches-blaze-a-trail-on-new-single-cowboy
- https://www.bimm.ac.uk/stories/success/demelza-mather/
- "The Wytches have recruited a new member | Dork". Dork. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- "Robe For Juda - Single by The Wytches", Itunes.apple.com, 19 November 2013, retrieved 12 November 2018
- "Crying Clown - Single by The Wytches", Itunes.apple.com, 1 January 2013, retrieved 12 November 2018
- "The Wytches - Digsaw / House Of Mirrors". Discogs.com. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- "Gravedweller - Single by The Wytches", Itunes.apple.com, 10 February 2014, retrieved 12 November 2018
- "Wire Frame Mattress - Single by The Wytches", Itunes.apple.com, 4 July 2014, retrieved 12 November 2018
- "Burn Out the Bruise - Single by The Wytches". Itunes.apple.com. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- "SPILL NEW MUSIC: THE WYTCHES SHARE "C-SIDE" | "ALL YOUR HAPPY LIFE" LP OUT SEPTEMBER 30TH ON HEAVENLY RECORDINGS". The Spill Magazine. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- "The Wytches - Crest of Death". Diymag.com. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- "The Wytches share two versions of new track 'Double World'". Diymag.com. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- "The Wytches blast back with new single "Cowboy"". Thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved 8 July 2020.