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 James Veck-Gilodi, guitarists Ryan Mellor 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 its sophomore album, Fools and Worthless Liars, which reached number 49 upon its release in 2011. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi