Castrovalva (band)

Castrovalva are an English noise rock band, formed in 2007 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Originally a duo of Daniel Brader (drums) and Anthony Wright (bass guitar), they expanded to a trio with the addition of Leemun Smith (vocals) in 2009.^[1] Smith had previously guested on the band's self-titled debut album and provided the cover art.^[2] The band is named after the M.C. Escher painting of the same name.^{[citation needed]}

Castrovalva
Live at Leeds 2010
Background information
Origin	Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Genres	Dance-punk, grindie, Nintendocore
Years active	2007–2012
Labels	Brew
Members	Daniel Brader Anthony Wright Leemun Smith
Website	pumppump.co.uk

History

In 2009 the band released their eponymous debut album and toured with bands such as Pulled Apart by Horses and Monotonix.^[3] Their second album, We Are a Unit was released in April 2010 on the independent label Brew Records, to positive reviews.^[1][4] The NME described it as "a fine display of this Leeds trio's skills",^[1] while Drowned in Sound called it "a breathtaking listen",^[4] Subba-Cultcha described the album as "a mind blowing sonic buffet".^[5] while Tasty described it as "raw punk music played with a metallic intensity by a group of individuals who are no doubt as drastically unhinged as their bizarre name suggests".^[6] Artrocker made it album of the month, giving it a 5/5 rating.^[7]

Leemun Smith Offset Festival in support of We Are A Unit

Discography

Albums

• Castrovalva (2009), Brew
• We Are a Unit (2010), Brew
• You're Not In Hell, You're In Purgatory My Friend (2012), Brew

Singles

• "Thug Poetry" (2009), Brew
• "Senorita (on Brew/DTTR split)" (2011), Brew/DTTR
• "In Our Prime (on Brew split)" (2011), Brew
• "I Am The Golden Widow / Senorita" (2012), Brew

References

1. Parker, Rob (2010) "Album Review: Castrovalva - 'We Are A Unit'", NME, 16 April 2010, retrieved 2010-09-11
2. "Castrovalva To Release Debut Album", Voxy.co.nz, 15 March 2010, retrieved 2010-09-11
3. "Castrovalva: dividing opinions", BBC, 26 October 2009, retrieved 2010-09-11
4. Stephen, Paul (9 April 2010). "Album Review: Castrovalva - We Are a Unit / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
5. "We Are A Unit Castrovalva", Subba-Cultcha, retrieved 2010-09-11
6. Hiorns, Banjamin (2010) "albums - april 2010: Castrovalva - We Are A Unit (Brew Records)", Tasty, retrieved 2010-09-11
7. Depares, Dave (2010) "Welcome to the F*ckfest", Artrocker

External links

• Castrovalva on Myspace