Edinburgh's Degrassi have received critical acclaim from such luminaries as: NME (bring it on band of the month), Radio 1, XFM, Drowned in Sound, Rocksound, Kerrang, Logo, Q and much of Scotland's music press.
Degrassi have been a formidable force both on stage and in the studio. Building up a fierce reputation for vibrant and intense live performances, it was a only a matter of months before their biting sound of versatile complexities met the approving ears of BBC Radio One legend John Peel. On hearing their first studio recording (an unreleased 4 song session) he promptly offered the band their first Peel Session which was recorded and broadcast the following month to enthusiastic praise on air from the respected host.
With time, increasingly enthusiastic reviews from publications as varied as The Scotsman, The List, The Sun, News of the World, The Evening News and NME.com, expressing their eager approval, were received, in addition to countless fanzine, webzine and underground publication endorsements. A 2nd invitation to the John Peel Show followed and a live session was recorded and broadcast, shortly followed by sessions for the BBC Session in Scotland's evening performance and BBC Radio Scotland's 'AIR' programme (hosted by Vic Galloway, another one of the early converts to the Degrassi cause).
The Debut EP 'Terminal Ocean' produced by Michael Brennan (Super Furry Animals, Mogwai, The Beta Band, Elastica, Snow Patrol, And you will know us by the trail of dead) was later released on underground independent Scottish label SL Records. It reaped much critical acclaim and went some considerable way to breaking down the pigeon hole that many reviewers had struggled to place the band in. The next e.p. 'The Form' was also released, recorded again with Michael Brennan and Dub Panda, released on SL Records.
Degrassi have played with bands such as: Snow Patrol, Faust, Wayne Kramer (MC5),Terra Diablo, Ballboy and to name but a few. Three T in the Park appearances have upped the ante in boosting the band's live profile that had already attained the eager attention and anticipation of many audiences and critics alike. This years T in the Park performance (2004) saw them close the tent and reap acclaim from many journalists including Dominic Diamond. After numerous tours with Cinerama (EX-Wedding Present Frontman David Gedge's current outfit) and the 80's Matchbox B-Line Disaster, the band had a swift line up re-shuffle and drafted-in ex-Idlewild Bassist Bob Fairfoull on additional guitar/bass duties. A recent tour of England has just been completed with the band playing alongside Ambulance Ltd and Bellx1 at Alan McGee's Death Disco (a recent campaigner for the band, writing favourable reviews and playing on his Radio One show along with Edith Bowman, Jo Whiley, Steve Lamacq and Zane Lowe. The band headlined a prestigious gig at last years music industry conference MusicWorks in Glasgow as well as well as a highly successful slot on the MTV EMA showcase bill and also recent finalists of the Diesel awards alongside the Blueskins. 2004 has seen the band go from strength to strength touring with Sluts of Trust, Colour of Fire, Seafood and Aereogramme building a strong fan base across the UK and Europe. Degrassi were also nominated in the XFM awards for best live act of 2004.
BBC Radio 1 Session in Scotland - Vic Galloway 'Edinburgh's Degrassi are now better than ever & have completed a new recording with Michael Brennan (Mogwai, Super Furry Animals etc), Think of Idlewild's hooks, Mogwai's post-rock soundscapes and New Order's timing and synchronisation and you're approaching where the band are now coming from. Tremendous stuff.'
Playlouder The Printworks, Manchester. (15/04/04) 'Down at the Printworks there is a storm brewing with Degrassi.The Edinburgh-based crew have been around a couple of years and have honed down their punk pop-fused, Art school rush of perfection. great hooks rise out of the intense riff action, all driven along with a high energy rush. Degrassi are definitely one of those bands that leaves you wondering why they are not much bigger'.(John Robb).The band completed work on a video in December (filmed by Bandit Productions Ltd.) for the Adorno records released CD single ''Tell Charles I'm on my way'' which was released in April 2005. Degrassi will re-return for a rematch show at Bannermans, Cowgate Edinburgh on the 25th August 2006. Also on the bill are the very excellent The Last Great Wilderness (formerly known once upon a time as Annie Christian). This show will be a blast!! Attend or F*ck Off! Our beds remain dry brother. SONGS WILL UP AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE TO ADD/LISTEN TO AND DOWNLOAD AT ALL TIMES.
The band have recorded a 12 song album (in December/January/February 06,07) for Evol Recordsmore info. on that in due course. Any further information on the album will be dispatched in due course.
