My Vitriol
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 in London, United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
My Vitriol is an alternative rock group from the United Kingdom, established in 1999 in London. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Som Wardner, drummer Ravi Kesavaram, guitarist Seth Taylor, and bassist Tatia Starkey. Their initial album, Finelines (2001), produced three singles that entered the UK top 40, positioning them as prominent figures within the nu gaze genre. Following a break beginning in 2002, they resumed producing music in 2007 and released a limited edition fan album titled The Secret Sessions in October 2016. The band's name was inspired by the novel Brighton Rock by Graham Greene.
Origins
Ravi Kesavaram and Som Wardner, both of Sri Lankan descent, crossed paths at UCL, where Wardner pursued genetics and Kesavaram studied biochemistry. After approximately eighteen months, they started collaborating musically, with Kesavaram on drums and Wardner handling other instruments. Within two days, they recorded an EP named "Delusions of Grandeur." Exposure on BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq’s Session Unsigned segment brought them national attention and attracted interest from record labels.
The pair expanded their lineup by adding Seth Taylor, formerly of Mint 400, on guitar, and bassist Carolyn Bannister. They launched their debut single "Always: Your Way" b/w "Pieces" through Org Records on 6 December 1999.
Finelines (2001)
Their first release under Infectious Records, the single "Losing Touch," reached number 91 in April 2000. This was followed by "Cemented Shoes," which climbed to number 65 on the UK Singles Chart in July. Subsequent singles included "Pieces," peaking at number 56, and "Always: Your Way," which broke into the UK Top 40 at number 31. The debut album Finelines attained number 24 on the UK Albums Chart in March 2001. The album’s last single, "Grounded," became their highest-charting track at number 29. The band embarked on extensive tours across the UK, Europe, and Japan.
They achieved radio success in countries such as South Africa and Iceland, eventually signing a deal with Epic in the United States reportedly worth $400,000. Renowned US producer Steve Thompson remixed Finelines for the American audience. This version was later re-released in the UK in July 2002 as a two-disc set titled "Finelines/Between The Lines," which included b-sides and rare tracks. The reissue reached number 96 on the charts. Prior to this release, the double A-side single "Moodswings" b/w "The Gentle Art Of Choking" served as their final entry into the Top 40.
Hiatus (2002–2005)
After three years of continuous touring, Wardner announced a pause for My Vitriol during Kerrang Weekender in October 2002. That same year, listeners of Xfm voted their song "Always Your Way" among the best alternative tracks. In tribute to Elliott Smith following his death in October 2003, the band recorded a cover of his song "Bottle Up & Explode!" Late in 2003, reports surfaced that they were working with producer Colin Richardson aiming for a release in 2004. By May 2004, anticipation grew around their sophomore album featuring songs like "War of the Worlds," "My Whole World Implodes," and "Between Mercury and Mars."
Post-hiatus period (2005–present)
In January 2005, My Vitriol re-emerged with a modest performance at London's O2 Academy Islington, where they introduced fresh tracks; this concert was later captured in the live album Cast In Amber. Following this, bassist Carolyn Bannister departed and was succeeded by Laura Salmon, who had previously played with the heavy metal group Area 54. This revamped lineup took the stage at KOKO in Camden in November 2006.
In March 2007, the band released the single "This Time" under the alias 'A Secret Society' through Org Records in a limited run. Subsequently, in July, they issued the A Pyrrhic Victory EP on Xtra Mile Records. Throughout this period, My Vitriol participated in several UK festivals such as Download and Guilfest and were the headline act at Offset Festival in 2008. Their touring schedule extended across the UK, Europe, and Japan during 2008 and 2009, including performing the last show at London Astoria in January 2009.
After nearly four years away from the stage, My Vitriol made a comeback at KOKO in May 2013. Guitarist Seth Taylor temporarily stepped down due to family reasons and was replaced by Sam Harvey; Taylor returned to the band in September of the same year. At this time, bassist Laura Salmon was replaced by Tatia Starkey, who is the granddaughter of Ringo Starr.
On 5 July 2013, a PledgeMusic campaign was initiated to finance a new album planned for release in 2014; this project eventually evolved into a limited-edition release titled The Secret Sessions, available exclusively to fans. Although its launch experienced delays as noted in a 2016 Drowned In Sound feature, the album was distributed to PledgeMusic supporters later that year and became accessible on streaming platforms by September 2017. The band embarked on a brief UK tour during April and May 2017, with some shows postponed owing to illness.
In 2020, The Secret Sessions was made available on Bandcamp.
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Highest chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK |
UK Indie |
UK Rock |
SCO | ||
| Finelines |
|
24 | 2 | 2 | 23 |
| The Secret Sessions |
|
— | — | — | — |
Live albums
- Cast in Amber (2006, My Vitriol)
Extended plays
| Title | EP details | |
|---|---|---|
| Delusions of Grandeur |
| |
| A Pyrrhic Victory |
| |
| War of the Worlds |
| |
Singles
| Title | Year | Highest chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | UK Indie | SCO | |||
| "Always/Pieces" | 1999 | — | — | — | Finelines |
| "Losing Touch" | 2000 | 91 | 15 | — | |
| "Cemented Shoes" | 65 | 12 | 68 | ||
| "Pieces" | 2001 | 56 | 11 | 54 | |
| "Always: Your Way" | 31 | 3 | 33 | ||
| "Grounded" | 29 | 3 | 40 | ||
| "Moodswings/The Gentle Art of Choking" | 2002 | 39 | 5 | 39 | |
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- English alternative rock bands
- London-based rock groups
- Musical ensembles formed in 1999
- British shoegaze bands
- Groups disbanded in 2002
- Bands reunited in 2005
- British musical quartets
- Artists signed to Warner Music Group
- Epic Records musicians
- Infectious Music artists
- PIAS Recordings musicians
- 1999 establishments in England
- Musical groups disestablished in 2002