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Basement (band)

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Basement
Basement performing in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2017.
Basement performing in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2017.
Background information
OriginIpswich, Suffolk, England
Genres
Years active
  • 2009–2012
  • 2014–2019
  • 2021–2022
  • 2023–present
Labels
SpinoffsFiddlehead
Members
  • Andrew Fisher
  • Alex Henery
  • Ronan Crix
  • Duncan Stewart
  • James Fisher
Websitewww.basementuk.com

Basement are an English rock band formed in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 2009. Their debut studio album, I Wish I Could Stay Here, was released in 2011. The next year, Colourmeinkindness was released, charting on the US Billboard Top 200. After touring in support of Colourmeinkindness, the band went on hiatus in 2012.[1] In 2014, they reunited[2] to release the EP Further Sky. The next album, Promise Everything, charted in 2016 in Australia, the UK and the US. The band's fourth album, Beside Myself, was released in October 2018.

History

[edit]

Basement formed in September 2009 in Ipswich, England, following the break-up of pop punk band In This for Fun.[3] In This for Fun released The Away from Home EP before they broke-up. The band picked Basement as a name simply because they "wanted a short name that didn't mean much."[4] On 17 May 2010, the band released their debut EP Songs About the Weather and in August, signed to Run for Cover.[5][6]

They released their first full-length album, I Wish I Could Stay Here, through Run For Cover Records in 2011. The band promoted the release through several tours, including tours to Australia[7] and two American tours with label mates and friends from Daylight (now Superheaven).[8][9]

Before the release of their second album Colourmeinkindness, the band announced a hiatus.[10] The group revealed that the break was "due to a number of personal commitments".[10] Colourmeinkindness was released on 23 October[11] and charted at number 188 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[12] In mid-November, the band played their final shows.[13] Guitarist Alex Henery later revealed it was due to vocalist Andrew Fisher wishing to become a certified teacher.[14] This required Fisher to return to school for a period of a year and a half.[14] Drummer James Fisher, Andrew's younger brother, was graduating from Kingston University, and the rest of the members were working on their respective careers.[14] Henery, meanwhile, was working as a videographer in Boston, Massachusetts for Run for Cover.[15]

On 29 January 2014 a tweet was posted on the band's Twitter account simply saying "Hi", and the dates "2008–2012" were removed from their Twitter and Facebook biographies, suggesting the band had returned from their hiatus. The band posted on Facebook later that day confirming that the hiatus was over as well as suggesting that there would be a summer tour.[2]

In June 2014, the band announced that they had recorded a new EP for release in July of that year, entitled Further Sky including two new songs, plus a cover of Suede's "Animal Nitrate".[16] The band toured across Australia, Japan and America between 26 July and 20 August.[17] For the latter, all of the tour dates had sold out.[18] The band then played a trio of shows (London, Leeds and Manchester) in the UK in late October with support from Cloakroom[19] and Newmoon.[20]

Guitarist Alex Henery noted in an August 2014 interview with The Aquarian that they were writing material for a new album.[18] On 29 January 2016, the band released Promise Everything.[21] On 3 February 2017, it was announced that the band had signed to major label Fueled by Ramen.[22]

In July 2018, Basement posted a teaser video on their social media accounts which featured footage of them recording in the studio. One week later, the band released a new single entitled "Disconnect." The song is the lead track from their fourth album, Beside Myself, which was released globally on 12 October.[23] A month before the album is set to be released, the band premiered a second single on Highsnobiety entitled "Stigmata".[24] A third single, "Be Here Now", was released on 2 October 2018.[25]

In October 2018, it was announced that the band would support Weezer and the Pixies on their spring 2019 tour of North America.[26] The band entered a hiatus following the tour, with Henery focusing on both playing in Fiddlehead (who released the album Between the Richness in 2021)[27] and his work as Turnstile's touring videographer and photographer.[28]

Basement at the 930 Club in September 2024

In 2021, it was announced that Basement would play at the second night of Outbreak Fest 2022, marking the band's first show in three years. The set was billed as celebrating 10 years of Colourmeinkindness and 11 years of I Wish I Could Stay Here.[29] The band also pressed a 10-year anniversary vinyl reissue of the former via Run For Cover later that year, which was released on October 21.[30] In December 2023, the band announced a show to again take place at the following year's Outbreak Fest.[31] The band officially reunited thereafter, announcing US tour dates as well as an appearance at the When We Were Young festival and their official re-signing to Run For Cover Records.[32]

Musical style and influences

[edit]

Critics have categorised Basement as alternative rock,[33] emo,[34] post-hardcore,[34][35] and soft grunge.[36][37][38] On Songs About the Weather, Punknews.org reviewer Brian Shultz compared the band to the likes of Title Fight, Daylight (Superheaven) and Bearings.[39] The EP's sound has been described as pop punk.[40] I Wish I Could Stay Here has been described as emo,[41] pop punk[41] and post-hardcore.[41] Colourmeinkindness has been described as rock,[42] and alternative rock.[43] Further Sky has been described as alternative rock[43][44] and rock and roll.[45] Promise Everything has been described as alternative rock.[46] AllMusic biographer Matt Collar described the band's sound as influenced by "melodic hardcore punk".[47] Collar later described the band's sound as noise rock.[48]

Basement have cited numerous bands as influences, including the Ataris, the Promise Ring, Mineral, Braid, Smoking Popes, Jets to Brazil,[49] Jimmy Eat World, and Piebald.[50]

Band members

[edit]
  • James Fisher – drums
  • Andrew Fisher – lead vocals
  • Alex Henery – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Ronan Crix – lead guitar
  • Duncan Stewart – bass

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Basement discography

Studio albums

[edit]

References

[edit]
Citations
  1. ^ "Basement announce "indefinite hiatus"". Punknews.org. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Basement End Hiatus, Post Statement". Run For Cover Records. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Interviews: Basement". Punknews.org. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  4. ^ Ferreira, Linda (17 June 2011). "Basement - 06.13.11". AbsoutePunk. Archived from the original on 12 April 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  5. ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (24 August 2010). "Run For Cover in the Basement – News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  6. ^ Faulkner, Cole (23 May 2011). "Run For Cover Records Signs UK's Basement". ThePunkSite.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  7. ^ "Basement announce Australian tour | News". Kill Your Stereo. 2012. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  8. ^ Kraus, Brian (1 June 2012). "Basement (Run For Cover) announce US tour with Dead End Path, Daylight and Soul Search". Alternative Press Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  9. ^ "Basement & America Full Documentary". YouTube. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Basement To Go On Hiatus". Rock Sound. Freeway Press Inc. 19 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 February 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  11. ^ "Basement - Colourmeinkindness | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Basement - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  13. ^ "Basement Stream New Single 'Spoiled'". Rock Sound. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  14. ^ a b c Sailer, Ben (17 June 2014). "The Secret Is Out: Basement Has Returned with a Surprise EP, 'Further Sky'". Noisey.vice.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  15. ^ Biddulph 2016, p. 77
  16. ^ "Basement - Further Sky". Run For Cover Records. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  17. ^ Obenschain, Philip (19 February 2014). "Basement announce summer dates in U.S., Japan". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  18. ^ a b McGrath, Ryan (6 August 2014). "Interview with Basement: Wish I Could Stay Here". The Aquarian Weekly. Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  19. ^ "Basement Have Finally (Finally!) Announced Some UK Headline Shows". Rock Sound. Freeway Press Inc. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  20. ^ Beringer, Drew (3 October 2014). "Newmoon Perform "Aria" Live + Tour Dates w/ Basement". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  21. ^ Leak, Brian (28 October 2015). "Basement stream upcoming album's title track, "Promise Everything"". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  22. ^ Toney, Jordan (3 February 2017). "Basement sign to Fueled by Ramen, announce deluxe release of 'Promise Everything'—listen". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  23. ^ Renshaw, David (1 August 2018). "U.K. band Basement announce new album, share "Disconnect"". The FADER. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  24. ^ Gore, Sydney (7 September 2018). "Let Basement Energize Your High Lows With "Stigmata"". Highsnobiety. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  25. ^ Payne, Chris (2018). "Basement Premieres Infectious 'Be Here Now' Ahead Of Major Label Debut LP: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  26. ^ weezer (29 October 2018). "Can't stop, won't stop. Excited to have @basementuk jumping on the spring tour with us + @PIXIES! See you there". Twitter. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  27. ^ Cohen, Ian (26 May 2021). "Fiddlehead: Between the Richness Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  28. ^ Lennox, Will (27 February 2023). "Turnstile is inspiring a new era of hardcore". GQ Magazine. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  29. ^ Richards, Will (2 July 2021). "Turnstile, Show Me The Body and more for Outbreak Fest 2022". NME. BandLab Technologies. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  30. ^ "BASEMENT 'COLOURMEINKINDNESS' DELUXE ANNIVERSARY 2LP (Limited Edition – Only 300 made, Purple & Black Galaxy Swirl Vinyl)". Brookyln Vegan. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  31. ^ Wilkes, Emma (16 December 2023). "JPEGMAFIA, Basement, Flatbush Zombies and more announced for Outbreak Festival 2024". NME. BandLab Technologies. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  32. ^ Breihan, Tom (14 May 2024). "Basement Announce First US Headlining Shows In Five Years". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  33. ^ Connick, Tom (9 October 2018). "Basement – 'Beside Myself' review". NME. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  34. ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (26 September 2022). "Basement's 'Colourmeinkindness' gets 10th anniversary reissue w/ bonus tracks (exclusive vinyl)". Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  35. ^ Cabello, Joaquin (16 October 2018). "PHOTOS: Basement sets the Rickshaw Stop ablaze". Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  36. ^ Cohen, Ian. "As You Please Citizen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  37. ^ Enis, Eli (12 October 2022). "A Glaring Lack of Grunge in the Grunge Revival". Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  38. ^ Enis, Eli (16 April 2021). "12 albums where a band did something totally unexpected". Kerrang!. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Basement - Songs About the Weather [7-inch]". Punknews.org. 27 August 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  40. ^ "Album Review: Basement - Songs About The Weather". Alter The Press!. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  41. ^ a b c Goodchild, Chantelle. "Album Review: Basement - I Wish I Could Stay Here". Alter The Press!. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  42. ^ Collar, Matt. "Colourmeinkindness - Basement | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  43. ^ a b Kraus, Brian (29 July 2014). "Basement - Further Sky EP - Reviews". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  44. ^ Dan H. (9 November 2014). "Review: Basement - Further Sky". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  45. ^ Houle, Zachary (29 July 2014). "Basement: Further Sky EP". PopMatters. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  46. ^ RENALDO69 (11 January 2016). "Basement Promise Everything". Punknews.org. Retrieved 22 January 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ Collar, Matt. "Basement | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  48. ^ Collar, Matt. "Promise Everything - Basement | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  49. ^ Reid, Sean (19 July 2010). "INTERVIEW: BASEMENT". Alter the Press. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  50. ^ Hill, John (8 February 2016). "Basement's Alex Henery Delivers Everything He Can". Vice. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
Sources
  • Biddulph, Andy (February 2016). McLaughlin, David (ed.). "Reviews". Rock Sound (209). London: Freeway Press Inc. ISSN 1465-0185.
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