The Wytches are an English rock band formed in 2011 in Peterborough. Following their formation, the band were based in Brighton.[5] The band currently consists of singer-songwriter Kristian Bell, bassist Daniel Rumsey, keyboardist/guitarist Mark Breed and drummer Bhavin Thaker.[6]
Kristian Bell and Gianni Honey had previously played together in the Crooked Canes in their hometown of Peterborough. Honey was taught by former Morrissey drummer Spike T. Smith and played in local bands.
Following the split of the Crooked Canes, the duo moved to Brighton to attend university and advertised around campus for a bassist. Daniel Rumsey was the only person to respond and joined the band. Rumsey was a singer-songwriter originally from Dorset who had fronted the "horror punk" band Fall Victim before moving to Brighton where he fronted Dan Rumsey & the Bitter End[8] and the Voyage Andromeda.[9] Initially called the Witches, the band changed the spelling to Wytches to make their band name more easily found on Google.[10] The band also originally featured second guitarist Mark Breed, with whom Bell later started a side project with called the Mark and Kristian Band.[11]
The band released their debut single "Beehive Queen" in June 2013 via Hate Hate Hate Records[12] and follow up single "Robe for Juda" in November 2013.[13] In September 2013 the band released a low key limited edition cassette Thunder Lizard Revisited.[14] The band released their debut US single "Crying Clown" (originally the b-side to the band's debut UK single) via Fat Possum Records in November 2013.[15]
Annabel Dream Reader (2014–2015)
On 4 February 2014, the band announced they had signed with Heavenly Recordings and released "Gravedweller" as a free digital single.[16] The band also signed to Partisan Records in the US.[17]
In August 2016, Mark Breed re-joined the band as a permanent member.[22]
The band released an EP of self recorded songs titled Home Recordings in June 2016.[23] In September 2016 they released their second album All Your Happy Life.[24]
In 2018, the band parted ways with their UK record label Heavenly Recordings and US record label Partisan, leaving them unsigned.[25] In March 2019, the band pulled out of a planned UK support tour with Drenge plus several warm up dates, citing "unforeseen circumstances".[26]
In October 2019, the band played 3 gigs as a 3-piece with Honey replaced by session player Demelza Mather.[27]
Three Mile Ditch (2020–2022)
In May 2020, Daniel Rumsey released an EP called The Darkest Day from a new side project called Dan Rumsey & the Dark Days.[28]
On 10 June 2020, the band released the single "Cowboy" via their own label Cable Code Records.[7] It was also confirmed at this time that Gianni Honey had officially left the band, with Bell stating "we were disheartened by the whole thing. All the work that goes into getting a band off its feet and into the public felt like something we'd have to try all over again".[29]
On October 2, 2020, the band released their third album Three Mile Ditch via Cable Code Records.[30]
In November 2021, Kristian Bell released a solo album Backfire through Cable Code Records.[31]
Our Guest Can't Be Named (2023-24)
Demelza Mather had toured with the band as a session drummer since Honey's departure in 2019 and was announced as an official member of the group in March 2023.[32][33]
In June 2023, the band announced they had signed to Alcopop! Records and would be performing a tour of the UK and Europe in October 2023.[34][35]
On July 4, 2023, the band released the single "Maria" and also announced their upcoming fourth album Our Guest Can't Be Named would be released in September 2023.[36] The music video for Maria was directed by band member Mark Breed.[6]
On August 24, 2023, the band released Zep Step, the second single from Our Guest Can't Be Named.[37] A limited edition 7" pressing of the single was released printed on X-ray films in the style of Ribs, a historically black market method of smuggling and distributing music banned from the public.[38] The accompanying music video was again directed by Mark Breed.[39]
On September 22, 2023, The Wytches released their fourth album Our Guest Can't Be Named. The album received largely positive reviews,[40] with DIY Magazine describing it as "A wave-ride of glorious surf-sludge"[41] and Far Out Magazine calling the album "Some of the greatest songs they’ve ever released".[42]
On 5 July 2024, the band released the 'Replica' EP via Alcopop! Records. As well as Pentagram, it also features covers of tracks by Porter Wagoner, Chet Baker and John Cale.[43]
Band members
Current members
Kristian Bell – lead vocals, guitar (2011–present)
Daniel Rumsey – bass guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)
Mark Breed – keyboards, guitar (2011-2012, 2016–present)[44]
Bhavin Thaker - Drums (2024-present)
Former members
Gianni Honey – drums (2011–2019)
Demelza Mather – drums (2023–2024)
Discography
Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
^"About The Crew". 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^Day, Natt (28 June 2013). "Interview: The Wytches » 7Bit Arcade". 7bitarcade.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"| Heavenly Recordings". 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
