Screaming Banshee Aircrew

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Screaming Banshee Aircrew were an English rock band from York, active from 2001 to 2010. Their music mixed post-punk, gothic rock and alternative rock, and they built a strong following in the UK goth scene thanks to high-energy live shows.

The band formed in April 2001 by Nick Daniel and Ed Tuke, starting as a four-piece that played original songs and Rocky Horror covers. Their early sound shifted between cheeky rockabilly, sombre ballads and stomping dance tunes, drawing on acts like The March Violets, The Cramps, The Cure, Bauhaus, David Bowie and New Model Army. They quickly became known for lively performances, often with both male and female vocals and a DAT tape backing.

They released No Camping (EP) in 2001 and Titanic Verses in 2003, followed by Titanic Verses – Now With Extra Wreckage. In 2004 they signed to Resurrection Records and released Fishnet Messiah in October, with a launch show at the Camden Underworld.

SBA toured the UK and played many goth festivals, including Whitby Gothic Weekend. Their track Hello Mr Hyde gained airplay on Batcave radio. The band received favorable press in magazines and fanzines, helping them grow their following.

In 2007 founding member Nick Daniel left, and the group expanded to six players, adding live drums and violin. They released a live DVD, Screaming Banshee Aircrew: Do London, covering a London show in February 2008. Their second album, When All Is Said And Done, came out in June 2007. They continued to perform across the country, including another Whitby appearance.

By 2009 the band returned to a four-piece, adopting a darker, minimal post-punk sound with tribal drums and more violin. The final album, Sugar, was produced by Jim Spencer and released in July 2010.

Screaming Banshee Aircrew disbanded in July 2010 after a final run of shows in London and York, with original guitarist Nick Daniel appearing as a guest. After the breakup, members went on to other projects: Jo Violet, Neal Unreal and Chris Banshee joined Berlin Black And The Shades Of Grey with Nick Daniel; Chris Banshee and Neal Unreal later joined Luxury Stranger; Nick Daniel joined Scream Arena. Ed Banshee worked on other music projects and collaborations, and Jo Violet joined The March Violets as their bassist. The band’s legacy lives on in the UK goth and post-punk scenes.