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Del Amitri

From Alfawiki
Del Amitri
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1980 in Glasgow, Scotland
FounderJustin Currie
Headquarters
Glasgow
,
Scotland
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Justin Currie (founder, lead vocals, bass guitar), Iain Harvie (guitar), Andy Alston (keyboards), Ashley Soan (drums), Kris Dollimore (guitar)
ProductsMusic albums, singles
Number of employees
5 (current band members)
Websitewww.delamitri.com

Del Amitri is a Scottish alternative rock group that originated in Glasgow in 1980. They gained recognition primarily for their 1990 single "Nothing Ever Happens", which climbed to No. 11 on the UK charts, as well as their 1995 track "Roll to Me", which entered the top 10 in both Canada and the United States. The band has produced seven studio albums, with five achieving top 10 status in the UK. Globally, Del Amitri has sold more than six million records.

Origin of the band name

Justin Currie, the band's founder and chief songwriter, explained in 2010 that the name "Del Amitri" was created without any specific meaning—essentially a distorted form of the Greek name 'Dimitri.' In 2018, Currie elaborated that it was derived from a film producer’s name seen in 1979 credits, likely "Dimitri-something," which eventually morphed into "Del Amitri." Contrary to some misconceptions, the term does not translate to "from the womb" in Greek.

Formation and initial period (1980–1984)

Del Amitri emerged from Justin Currie’s school band at Jordanhill College, originally featuring Currie (bass/vocals), James Scobbie (guitars), Donald Bentley (guitars), and Paul Tyagi (drums).

Del Amitri (1985)

The band signed with Chrysalis Records in 1984 and released their debut album, self-titled Del Amitri, the following year.

Waking Hours (1989)

While working on their second album, keyboardist Andy Alston joined the lineup. Guitarist Bryan Tolland and drummer Paul Tyagi were replaced during this period. Although studio musicians Mick Slaven and Stephen Irvine contributed to the recordings, they did not become permanent members; David Cummings and Brian McDermott eventually took their places.

Released in 1989, Waking Hours reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and included their most successful UK single to date, "Nothing Ever Happens," which peaked at No. 11. This album helped broaden their international reach, with "Kiss This Thing Goodbye" nearly breaking into the US Billboard Hot 100 Top 40. Additionally, between albums, the track "Spit in the Rain" peaked at No. 21 in the UK.

Change Everything (1992)

The lineup consisting of Currie, Harvie, Alston, Cummings, and McDermott recorded Change Everything in 1992, securing the band's highest UK chart position at No. 2—just behind Lionel Richie's Back to Front. The single "Always the Last to Know" reached No. 13 in the UK and entered the US Top 40. Its music video was directed by Pedro Romhanyi of Oil Factory. Their growing popularity in the US led to performances on Late Night with David Letterman and an appearance at Woodstock '94.

Twisted (1995)

Released in 1995, Twisted climbed to No. 3 on UK charts. Drummer Ash Soan became a full-time member after touring with them since 1994; however, drums on this record were performed by Chris Sharrock. The single "Roll to Me" achieved moderate success in the UK at No. 22 but notably broke into the US Top 10—a significant accomplishment for a British band during that era.

Some Other Sucker's Parade (1997)

Their fifth studio album, Some Other Sucker's Parade, reached No. 6 on UK charts in 1997. Despite this success, they struggled to maintain traction in the US market and encountered difficulties domestically when their label pulled back plans for a third single, "Medicine," due to controversy surrounding its lyrics after Princess Diana’s death.

Following a five-year hiatus from releasing new material, Del Amitri recorded "Don't Come Home Too Soon" as the official anthem for Scotland’s World Cup team in 1998. The single reached No. 15 in the UK—their third-largest hit and last entry into the Top 20 so far. That year also saw the release of their greatest hits collection, Hatful of Rain: The Best of Del Amitri, which peaked at No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart and featured a new song titled "Cry to Be Found," reaching No. 40 on singles charts.

Can You Do Me Good? (2002)

Released in early 2002, Can You Do Me Good? along with its single "Just Before You Leave" both secured positions within the Top 40 charts. After this release, the band went on a break.

Reunion tours (2014, 2018)

During an interview on BBC Radio 2 with Terry Wogan on 18 August 2013, Currie suggested the possibility of a Del Amitri reunion, which led to a UK tour. On 24 January 2014, the band performed at Glasgow's SSE Hydro to an audience of 8,000. Following the tour, a live album titled Into the Mirror was issued.

In July 2018, Del Amitri reunited once more for eight concerts spanning seven cities across the UK. This series featured a new track called "You Can't Go Back" and a rendition of Twenty One Pilots' "Heathens." Currie hinted at the potential development of a new album and additional future projects.

Fatal Mistakes (2021)

On 2 March 2020, drummer Ash Soan disclosed that work had begun on Del Amitri's seventh studio album at Vada Studios in Cookhill, Worcestershire. Justin Currie confirmed on 8 April that recording was completed just prior to the UK's lockdown on 24 March, with intentions to tour starting January 2021 after performing a complimentary show in December for NHS Scotland staff. The band announced their signing with Cooking Vinyl on 5 May.

In November 2020, Del Amitri revealed their single "Close Your Eyes and Think of England" along with the album title Fatal Mistakes, which was released by Cooking Vinyl on 28 May 2021. A limited-time bonus album, Outtakes & B-side, accompanied this release. Fatal Mistakes entered the UK Albums Chart at number five, becoming their sixth album to reach the Top 10 in the UK.

A supporting tour commenced in September 2021 and concluded with a final show in their hometown of Glasgow on 20 December.

Del Amitri used Instagram to announce a new documentary entitled "You Can't Go Back," which premiered on British television channel Sky Arts on September 4.

Every Night Has a Dawn (2022)

On 12 December 2022, Justin Currie and Ian Harvie attended the launch event for the Blu-ray release of Every Night Has a Dawn at the Glasgow Film Theatre. The event included a Q&A session following screenings of excerpts from their live performance recorded at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom on 11 June 2022.

Simple Minds Tour (2024)

Del Amitri joined fellow Glasgow band Simple Minds for their World Tour in 2024, performing UK and European dates from 15 March in Leeds through to 29 March in Glasgow. The itinerary included concerts in Luxembourg, Holland, Denmark, Germany, France, and Italy.

Members

Current members
  • Justin Currie – lead vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar (1980–2002, 2013–present)
  • Iain Harvie – guitar, backing vocals, occasional bass (1982–2002, 2013–present)
  • Andy Alston – keyboards, accordion (1989–2002, 2013–present)
  • Ashley Soan – drums and percussion (1994–1997, 2013–present)
  • Kris Dollimore – guitar, backing vocals, occasional bass (1997–2002, 2013–present)
Former members
  • Donald Bentley – guitar, backing vocals (1980–1982)
  • James Scobbie – guitar, backing vocals (1980–1982)
  • Paul Tyagi – drums and percussion (1981–1988)
  • Bryan Tolland – guitar, backing vocals (1982–1987)
  • Mick Slaven – guitar, backing vocals (1988–1989)
  • Brian McDermott – drums and percussion (1989–1994)
  • David Cummings – guitar, backing vocals (1989–1995)
  • Jon McLoughlin – guitar, backing vocals (1996–1997; died 2005)
  • Mark Price – drums and percussion (1997–2002)
Timeline

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bar:James text:"James Scobbie"
bar:Iain text:"Iain Harvie"
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bar:Mick text:"Mick Slaven"
bar:David text:"David Cummings"
bar:Jon text:"Jon McLoughlin"
bar:Kris text:"Kris Dollimore"
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bar:Ashley text:"Ashley Soan"
bar:Mark text:"Mark Price"
bar:Andy text:"Andy Alston"

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bar:Justin from:01/01/1980 till:31/08/2002 color:vocals
bar:Justin from:01/09/2013 till:end color:vocals
bar:Donald from:01/01/1980 till:31/12/1981 color:guitar
bar:Iain from:01/01/1982 till:31/08/2002 color:guitar
bar:Iain from:01/09/2013 till:end color:guitar
bar:James from:01/01/1980 till:31/12/1981 color:guitar
bar:Bryan from:01/01/1982 till:31/12/1987 color:guitar
bar:Mick from:01/01/1988 till:28/02/1989 color:guitar
bar:David from:01/07/1989 till:31/10/1995 color:guitar
bar:Jon from:01/10/1996 till:28/06/1997 color:guitar
bar:Kris from:01/07/1997 till:31/08/2002 color:guitar
bar:Kris from:01/09/2013 till:end color:guitar
bar:Paul from:01/01/1981 till:31/12/1988 color:drums
bar:Brian from:01/07/1989 till:31/03/1994 color:drums
bar:Ashley from:01/06/1994 till:28/02/1997 color:drums
bar:Ashley from:01/09/2013 till:end color:drums
bar:Mark from:01/07/1997 till:31/08/2002 color:drums
bar:Andy from:01/01/1989 till:31/08/2002 color:keyboards
bar:Andy from:01/09/2013 till:end color:keyboards

</timeline>

Studio albums

  • del Amitri (1985)
  • Waking Hours (1989)
  • Change Everything (1992)
  • Twisted (1995)
  • Some Other Sucker's Parade (1997)
  • Can You Do Me Good? (2002)
  • Fatal Mistakes (2021)

Compilation albums

  • The Best of Del Amitri: Hatful of Rain (1998)
  • Lousy with Love: The B-Sides (1998)
  • 20th Century Masters – The Best of Del Amitri (2003)
  • The Collection: Best of Del Amitri (2007)

Live albums

  • Into the Mirror: Del Amitri Live in Concert (2014)
  • Every Night Has a Dawn (2022)

External links

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