the english department

Residing somewhere between the annals of collegiate studies, The L train to Williamsburg, North West London and a sweaty dive bar, the English Department are bringing nerd chic and big rock hooks to the masses. A sibling led group who wear their eclectic roots on their collective sleeve, The English Department deploy modern indie rock with stadium sized ambition, powerful lyrics and melodies so unforgettable they will lodge themselves in your brain for days at a time. Thick distorted guitars and shimmering guitar hooks merge with a brutally sensitive rhythm section. Brother’s David (Vox, Guitar) and Justin Wallace (Bass, Vox) have been playing music together all of their lives. The English Department is a decades old realization of their childhood dreams. Hooking up with powerhouse drummer Brett Thorngren, they have built a band around this dream. Allowing simplicity, melody and musicianship to come to the fore they have created a compelling, intelligent and memorable whole.



In the summer of 2006 The English Department entered the studio with producer Jon Kaplan (Lola Ray, Army of Me, The Damnwells, The Starting Line) to make a record for the fledgling Japanese label, Star More Records. The collection of songs finds the band finding themselves. The rhythmic intensity is taken to a new level. David’s guitar scratches and claws its way through the stereo spectrum, while his vocals tie the whole thing together. Sounding at once vulnerable and totally in control. This is a passionate voice with charisma and catharsis at its heart. Calling on all of their influences, you’ll hear echoes of U2 and Radiohead, The Beatles and The Clash, Elvis Costello and Elliott Smith. The record, entitled, “A History of Doubt” will be released in Japan on January 24th.



With a keen sense of melody and arranging, and a killer live show, The English Department never overwhelm their material, allowing their natural charisma and band dynamic to shine through both on stage and on disc - making sure there’s never a dull moment.



The English

DepartmentYou Don't Know Anything About Me

Star Mole Records