Eleventh He Reaches London
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Eleventh He Reaches London was a five-member post-hardcore group from Australia, originally established in December 1999 in Perth under the name Our Lasting Loss. They adopted their new name towards the end of 2002 and went on to release three full-length albums: The Good Fight for Harmony (December 2005), Hollow Be My Name (March 2009), and Bānhūs (October 2013). The band dissolved in 2016.
1999–2004: Origins
The band started as a four-piece called Our Lasting Loss in December 1999, consisting of Mark Donaldson on drums, Ian Lenton handling lead vocals and guitar, Alex Lucas on bass, and Jayden Worts playing lead guitar; all members were 17 years old at that time.
In 2001, their song "You Left Me at the Crossroads Like Val Kilmer in Willow" was included on the compilation album Left of Centre 2. This project was recorded by Allen Smith at Bergerk! Studios and mixed and mastered by Rob Swire from Pendulum. Shortly thereafter, Brad Rowland took over bass duties from Lucas.
The band changed its name in late 2002, drawing inspiration from the eleventh canto of Lord Byron's epic poem Don Juan. By late 2003, they released their debut extended play titled Diving for Treacher, with Allen Smith again handling production, mixing, and mastering. The lineup evolved with Craig McElhinney replacing Rowland on bass and Jeremy Martin joining as a third guitarist, which added depth to their sound.
Throughout 2004, Eleventh He Reaches London supported notable acts such as Against Me!, Shai Hulud, and The Nation Blue, including a series of four performances in Melbourne. Reflecting on their musical direction in December 2005, Martin explained:
As a group, we draw from a wide array of musical influences that shape our sound. While we share many inspirations, individual tastes vary. Our focus is on dramatic compositions that evoke powerful emotions... We don’t align strictly with any particular Perth music scene, which benefits us by enabling performances alongside varied artists. This diversity prevents repetitive shows and constantly pushes us to connect with new audiences.
2005–2007: The Good Fight for Harmony
At the start of 2005, the band returned to Bergerk! Studios with Allen Smith to record their debut album. They appeared at events such as the West Australian Music Industry Awards Festival and RTRFM's In the Pines. Additionally, they were the only main stage supporting act during the Perth segment of Taste of Chaos, performing to a sold-out Robinson Pavilion alongside bands like The Used and Killswitch Engage. After spending six months recording and having the album mastered by Shaun O'Callaghan at Studio Couch, The Good Fight for Harmony was released on 14 December 2005. It quickly climbed local charts and nearly sold out its initial pressing within six weeks. The track "Say You See Why So" received airplay on Triple J as well as regional radio stations.
In 2006, Eleventh He Reaches London began crafting material for their sophomore album. Their activities included playing at the WAMi Festival, winning their first WAMi Award for 'Favourite Newcomer,' touring Western Australia alongside Gyroscope, supporting Les Savy Fav, promoting The Good Fight for Harmony in Melbourne, and opening for Coheed and Cambria during their inaugural Australian tour. The following year saw them supporting Converge, ISIS, and Funeral for a Friend on tours across Australia while earning a second WAMi Award for 'Best Hardcore/Punk Act.' They also received financial support through a grant from the Western Australia Department of Culture and Arts to aid in producing their second album.
2008-2011 : Hollow be my Name
In 2008, Eleventh He Reaches London introduced the online single "For the Commonwealth and the Queen" as a precursor to their sophomore album, Hollow be my Name. June saw the departure of bassist Craig McElhinney, who left to focus on solo endeavors. The band secured a deal with Good Cop Bad Cop Records in July 2008, which subsequently re-released The Good Fight for Harmony on 16 August. Due to lineup adjustments causing a delay in their second album's release until February 2009, the label issued a 7" vinyl single titled "Girt by Piss" on 25 October 2008. That same month, Luke Pollard joined as McElhinney's replacement on bass, and the group embarked on a national tour supporting the single. The B-side track, "Hill of Grace," earned a nomination for the 2008 WAM Song of the Year.
The album Hollow Be My Name was officially released on 28 March 2009 through Good Cop Bad Cop Records. Its content delves into somber and reflective themes emphasizing personal responsibility instead of attributing fault to external entities like government or divine forces. Jeremy Martin characterized the work as a connected yet non-linear story presenting multiple viewpoints.
2012-2016: Bānhūs and disbandment
In April 2012, Eleventh He Reaches London collaborated with Hobbledehoy Record Co. to produce vinyl reissues of their earlier catalog. Their third studio album, Bānhūs, debuted via Hobbledehoy on 4 October 2013. The band ultimately dissolved in 2016.
Members
- Mark Donaldson – drums (1999–2016)
- Ian Lenton – lead vocals, guitar (1999–2016)
- Alex Lucas – bass guitar (1999–2001)
- Jayden Worts – lead guitar (1999–2016)
- Brad Rowland – bass guitar (2001–03)
- Jeremy Martin – lead guitar (2003–16)
- Craig McElhinney – bass guitar (2003–08)
- Luke Pollard – bass guitar (2008–16)
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Good Fight for Harmony |
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| Hollow Be My Name |
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| Bānhūs |
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WAM Song of the Year
Established in 1985 by the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association Inc. (WARMIA), the WAM Song of the Year awards celebrate accomplishments within Western Australia's music sector.
(only wins listed)
|- | 2013 | "Body Unbind" | Rock Song of the Year | |-
West Australian Music Awards
The West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMIs), conducted annually by the Western Australian Music Industry Association Inc (WAM), recognize excellence in contemporary music from Western Australia.
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| 2006
| Eleventh He Reaches London
| Favourite Newcomer
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| 2007
| Eleventh He Reaches London
| Best Hardcore/Punk Act
|
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| 2010
| Eleventh He Reaches London
| Best Hard Rock / Metal Act
|
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| 2011
| Eleventh He Reaches London
| Best Hard Rock / Metal Act
|
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