They started writing songs and rehearsing together. Accidental star shaped chemistry did the rest.
In Summer 2013 Sam Mitchell (drums/vocals), Bill Williams (bass guitar) and Jimmy Gilder (guitar/vocals) were entertaining passengers, busking White Stripes songs on trains (to great applause, they have accidental entertainment in their veins – on and off stage). They ended that year by unleashing 'Oh Yeh!' 105 seconds of garage-rock madness (on Kent label, The Preservation Society Presents - with extra track 'Gutter Rats') as their debut single, instantly magnetising at least a coachful worth of fans, if their launch gig (December 2013) at Camden Monarch was anything to go by). They also started to pick up really positive feedback from national and independent media alike.
Mourning Birds began 2014 by recording a brace of new songs (again with Rhys Downing who has also worked with The Subways and Pete Doherty). His production brings out the “festival main stage” potential in this band's dynamic sound. Around this time they also stormed three (packed out) and chaotic January and February London shows. “
In Spring 2014 'Eve Of The Isle' was released. It sounded a gloriously dirty step up. Accompanied with the 70s rock fest tinted 'Town On Fire') this single ignited more awesome reactions including Radio 1 Punk Show, 6Music, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and independent radio plays. It was a public vote winner at Tom Robinson's Freshnet and Track Of The Day at various sites. The Bowie-esque video (1,000-views-limited edition) featured the lads in drag around Medway on a Saturday night (Conchita Wurst eat your heart out). "Like The Cure on a date night with Nirvana" (Little Indie Blogs). "I hear Nirvana, I see Nicky Wire" (Music Scenes).
More international sites and stations keep tuning in. Their live, unpredictable musicality and primal energy makes no two live outings the same. A band developing with every show, they are in the vanguard of a rock music resurgence.
By summer 2014 a growing, word of mouth acclaim won national and independent festival slots, (with no booking agent). Mourning Birds have already played gigs various mover/shakers including Eighteen Nightmares At The Lux, Snow Patrol/Idlewild supergroup Little Matador, Slaves and CuT. In short, they are off to a strong start.
After their summer gigs and festivals tour, the band not only had new admirers but also confirmed a recording deal with a credible Japanese label in Japan and spent much of August writing new songs and recording the debut album with Rhys Downing at Foel Studios in Wales. Mourning Birds are rock, punk, garage, blues and more. No one trick pony, as their releases so far demonstrate, this is guitar music with a mix of fury and passion fuelled imagination.
“To write and record a powerful, melodic rocker like 'Breathe' takes a rare quality” (Kent Messenger). Their third recording uploaded to hear, 'Breathe', is winning acclaim, BBC Introducing / Amazing Radio Rock Show records of the week and increasing “wow” factors as music fans take a listen. “A powerful eruption of grungy energy.” (GigSlutz).
Winter 2014 started with a return to live performance. Mourning Birds emerged as an even bigger prospect with a full set that blew the Central London audience away. Truly incredible, and just as the UK is noticing the potential of its home grown rock bands.
It may be early days but their instinctive talents, the tales of youthful chaos and the musicality of their aural carnage make Mourning Birds one of music's best up and coming fresh prospects.
