Basement (band)

Basement
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	2009
Headquarters	Ipswich, England
Products	Music albums, EPs

Basement is a rock group originating from Ipswich, Suffolk, England, established in 2009. Their first album, I Wish I Could Stay Here, debuted in 2011. The subsequent release, Colourmeinkindness (2012), entered the US Billboard Top 200 chart. After completing tours supporting Colourmeinkindness, the band took a break in 2012. They reunited two years later to launch the EP Further Sky. Their third studio effort, Promise Everything (2016), achieved chart positions in Australia, the UK, and the United States. The band's fourth album, Beside Myself, was released in October 2018.

History

Basement came together in September 2009 in Ipswich following the disbandment of the pop punk act In This for Fun. The name Basement was selected for its straightforwardness. On 17 May 2010, they unveiled their debut EP titled Songs About the Weather and secured a deal with Run for Cover Records by August.

Their inaugural full-length record, I Wish I Could Stay Here, was issued through Run For Cover Records in 2011. To promote this album, Basement toured Australia and embarked on two US tours alongside labelmates Daylight (now known as Superheaven).

Prior to releasing their sophomore album, Colourmeinkindness, Basement announced a hiatus prompted by personal obligations, including vocalist Andrew Fisher pursuing teacher certification and drummer James Fisher completing his university education. Released on 23 October 2012, Colourmeinkindness reached number 188 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The band performed final concerts in November before pausing their activities.

In January 2014, Basement ended their break and confirmed plans for a summer tour. July saw the release of the EP Further Sky, which included two original tracks and a cover of Suede's "Animal Nitrate". Their touring schedule encompassed Australia, Japan, and the United States, with all American dates selling out. Later that year, they returned to the UK stage supported by Cloakroom and Newmoon.

By August 2014, Basement had begun composing new material. Their third album, Promise Everything, was released on 29 January 2016. In February 2017, they signed with major label Fueled by Ramen.

In July 2018, Basement hinted at new studio work and debuted "Disconnect", the lead single from their fourth album Beside Myself, which was released worldwide on 12 October. Additional singles included "Stigmata" and "Be Here Now." During October 2018, Basement toured North America alongside Weezer and Pixies.

Following this tour, the band entered another hiatus while guitarist Alex Henery concentrated on his involvement with Fiddlehead and his role as a touring videographer for Turnstile.

In 2021, Basement announced their return performance at Outbreak Fest 2022 to commemorate anniversaries of both Colourmeinkindness and I Wish I Could Stay Here. Alongside this announcement came a deluxe vinyl reissue of Colourmeinkindness. In December 2023, they confirmed another appearance at Outbreak Fest scheduled for 2024. Shortly afterward, Basement officially reunited, revealing US tour dates that included an appearance at the When We Were Young festival and re-signing with Run For Cover Records.

Musical style and influences

Reviewers have described Basement's sound as encompassing alternative rock, emo, post-hardcore, and soft grunge genres. On their EP Songs About the Weather, Punknews.org likened them to Title Fight, Daylight (Superheaven), and Bearings, categorizing the release as pop punk. Their debut album I Wish I Could Stay Here merges elements of emo, pop punk, and post-hardcore. The follow-up record Colourmeinkindness is recognized for its rock and alternative rock characteristics. The EP Further Sky incorporates influences from alternative rock and classic rock and roll. Continuing with alternative rock foundations, Promise Everything maintains this stylistic direction. According to AllMusic biographer Matt Collar, their sound draws from "melodic hardcore punk" traditions and has also been described as noise rock.

Basement's musical inspirations include acts such as the Ataris, the Promise Ring, Mineral, Braid, Smoking Popes, Jets to Brazil, Tiger's Jaw, Man Overboard, Sunny Day Real Estate, Failure, Autolux, Cro-Mags, Stephen Bishop, David Bowie, Hey Mercedes, Radiohead, Jawbreaker, Lifetime, Jimmy Eat World, and Piebald.

Band lineup

James Fisher – percussion
Andrew Fisher – main vocals
Alex Henery – rhythm guitarist, backing vocals
Ronan Crix – lead guitarist
Duncan Stewart – bassist

Studio albums

References

Citations

Sources