“Lovelorn and haunting… strikingly good” – The Guardian (August 2008)

 

"Nothing in mainstream music relates to my life - I suppose that's a reason to exist." –

Phil McMinn (Lead Singer of The Winchell Riots) 

 

….. Sounds like a good reason to write some heartfelt anthems then?!

 

Hailing from musical metropolis that is Oxford, formed by the culmination of a love of literature and a demise of much touted band ‘Fell City Girl’ are The Winchell Riots.

 

The Post-Rock Pop four-piece lineup consists of Phil McMinn (Vocals, Guitar and Piano), James Pamphlion on (Drums, imagined electronics), Nathan Allsworth (Guitar), and Rich Leicester (Bass). Both singer McMinn and drummer Pamphilion are no strangers to recognition, as during their time in their former band their single February Snow (released on now defunct Lavolta Records) was picked up by both Jonathan Ross and Mark Radcliffe on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6Music, and play listed by XFM).

 

Championed early on by The Guardian, taking their name from a chapter from the Phillip Roth novel   ‘The Plot Against America’, the band writes and rehearses their anthemic balladry in a psychiatric home that no doubt must aide the singer Phil McMinn’s tortured lyrics and angelic vocal intensity. .

 

Seeing the band live just adds another dimension to the bands already stellar arsenal, showcasing how integral each member is in achieving the sonically mesmerizing performance. With support slots as diverse as Glasvegas, The Streets, iLikeTrains and Michael Rother (Kraftwerk/Neu! founding member) and show stealing monumental performances at Truck Festival 2008 and In The City. 

 

Live; the band displays more energy than a warren full of Duracell bunnies, profiting from their old bands touring experience.  From the tribal syncopated rhythms of drummer James Pamphlion and the intricate walking bass lines of Rich Leicester, to the combined twin guitar attack from Nathan Allsworth and Phil McMinn, topped off by the jaw dropping souring vocals of McMinn, the band displays the confidence of veteran performers.

 

With new material currently being recorded with Dan Austin (Massive Attack/Doves/Cooper Temple Clause) make no mistake this band is ordained for bigger things…

 

The Winchell Riots Debut EP is now available in the UK