Bit by Bats
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | July 2003 |
| Defunct | December 2007 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide, Australia |
Area served | Australia, international tours |
| Products | Albums, EPs |
Bit by Bats was a rock trio originating from Adelaide, Australia, composed of Owen Eszeki (vocals, electric guitar, theremin), Peter Gravestock (vocals, bass guitar, electric guitar), and Ben Macklin (drums). Initially formed in July 2003 under the name The Hurts, their sound drew inspiration from bands like the Cure, Joy Division, and Television.
Throughout their career, the group toured alongside prominent Australian artists such as Cut Copy, Youth Group, and the Grates. They also supported international acts including Bloc Party, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Les Savy Fav, Von Bondies, Peaches, and Wire.
In January 2004, the band moved to Melbourne and became part of that city's post-punk community. Their first release was a self-titled six-track EP on the Architecture label, which climbed to number 13 on the Australian Independent Record charts in February 2004. While touring the eastern states in 2004 with Youth Group and I [Love] Space, they issued a limited edition tour EP titled Sir! Beat Sir!, with only 100 copies produced. Their follow-up EP, Let's Go Romeo, was recorded in October 2004 at Birdland Studios with producer Dean Turner and released in March 2005. Subsequent tours included supporting the Grates and conducting their own headline tour with the Pharaohs as support.
Bit by Bats performed at the Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney stops of the 2006 Big Day Out festival.
Their first full-length album, Go Go Go!, was released in April 2007. It was produced by Dean Turner of Magic Dirt alongside Rob Long and Lindsay Gravina at Birdland Studios. The album garnered favorable reviews for its vibrant new wave influence. In March 2007, the band embarked on an international tour featuring appearances at Canadian Music Week, venues across the UK, and the Essential Festival.
In October 2007, Bit by Bats recorded a rendition of "Orinoco Flow" for Triple J’s Like a Version segment; this cover was included on the compilation Like a Version Four, which reached number 34 on the ARIA charts in November 2008. The group announced their breakup in December 2007 but parted amicably. After disbanding, Eszeki joined Sailors & Swine and the Kits while Macklin became a member of Brillig.
Members
- Owen Eszeki – vocals, electric guitar, theremin
- Peter Gravestock – vocals, bass guitar, electric guitar
- Ben Macklin – drums
Albums
- Go Go Go! (31 March 2007) Shiny Records (BATSGOFOR1)
Extended plays
- Bit by Bats (19 January 2004) Architecture Label (ARC018)
- Sir! Beat Sir (July 2004) (limited edition - 100 copies)
- Let's Go Romeo (18 March 2005) Guano Music/Inertia Records (GUA001)
External links
- Official website archived on 29 August 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2018.