British India

British India is an alternative rock band based in Melbourne, Australia. The band is comprised of Declan Melia (vocals), Nic Wilson (guitar), Will Drummond (bass) and Matt O'Gorman (drums).

The members of British India met whilst attending St. Bede's College, in Melbourne.

Described as social misfits, Declan and long time friend Nic would often jam together, dreaming of one day forming a band. The two actually met bassist Will Drummond when a fight erupted during a beach party in Mentone; the three foces combined with drummer Matt and created British India in 2004.

The four boys began to play Blur and Nirvana covers for school concerts and went onto write their own material to performing locally Melbourne clubs and pubs.

In 2005, after playing regularly across Australia for a year, the band signed with In-Fidelity Recordings and began work on their debut EP, with producer Lindsay Gravina.

In June 2005 they released a single, ‘Outside 109 / Automatic Blitzkrieg’. The song became a giant hit at shows and festivals such as Homebake in 05 and 06.

On 21 November 2005, the band released their debut EP ‘Counter Culture’, on Flashpoint Records. Following recording at Sydney's Flashpoint Studios with studio owner Harry Vanda, cramming every inch of their youthful exuberance onto once disc.

There was a lot of hype surrounding the Melbourne boys live performances and they received a mass of airplay from Triple J. The band didn’t really break any ground until their debut album ‘Gullotine’ was released in June 2007 and featured heavily on radio were crowd favourites ‘Ties Up My Hands’ and ‘Run The Red Light’.

British India had become more than just hype with phenomenal performances all over the country captivating crowds and Declan’s stage presence gearing teen fans into overdrive.

While 'Guillotine' is not particularly known for it's depth they make this angsty, easy sound so edgy yet so commercial at the same time with short tunes and heavy riffs.

The four piece received the AIR Award for Best New Independent Artist in 2007 Through the 11 months following the release of Guillotine, British India played to an array of sold out shows and also at music festivals Big Day Out, Homebake, Golden Plains, Pyramid Rock, and Come Together Music Festival and making new fans in every town they played.

In April 2008 British India invaded Flashpoint Studios for the second time to record sophomore album ‘Thieves’ and was released just 13 months after the debut ‘Guillotine’.

The follow up received a massive reception and British India were welcomed onto the ARIA charts for the first time entering in at #5. The first single ‘I Said I’m Sorry’ has found the boys large commercial success and has helped sell out further shows and gain entry to many Summer Music Festivals.

Just over a year since their debut record was released, British India are two albums deep with a loyal fan base, not only in Australia but a new found following in the U.K has set off post their first international tour. Not to mention an ARIA nomination for ‘Best Independent Release’ for ‘Thieves’.

The Melbourne four piece plan to tour both nationally and internationally over the next year to break the band in commercially before they record a third album.

By Samantha Dickson