Deaf Havana

Combining post-hardcore with anthemic pop-punk, Norfolk four-piece Deaf Havana sit alongside the likes of We Are the Ocean, the Blackout, and Young Guns on the list of bands flying the flag for the heavier side of British alt-rock. Formed in 2005 while lead vocalist Ryan Mellor, guitarists James Veck-Gilodi and Sebastian Spitz (later replaced by Chris Pennells), bassist Lee Wilson, and drummer Tom Ogden were at college in Kings Lynn, Deaf Havana signed to A Wolf at Your Door Records in 2008, and a year later recorded their first album, Meet Me Halfway, at Least with producer Matt O'Grady (You Me at Six). After Deaf Havana performed on the U.K. Metal Hammer Introducing Tour and appeared in support slots for Francesqa and Emarosa.

Mellor left due to personal reasons, just before the band began work on their sophomore release. Veck-Gilodi took over on lead vocal duties and the album Fools and Worthless Liars was released in 2011. A year later the band released a deluxe version of their second album with a bonus disc of the entire record re-recorded in a stripped back, acoustic manner that brought out the musicianship and emotion of their usually aggressive sound. They added Veck-Gilodi's brother Matthew to bolster their guitar options, on both acoustic and electric, while they also installed Max Britton on piano to further expand their sound. Sessions for their third record followed their acoustic shows at London's intimate Union Chapel and in 2013 their Old Souls appeared. They shifted their sound even further from the heavy riffs of their debut, to a more considered pop rock sound. ~ Jon O'Brien & Scott Kerr, Rovi