Del Amitri

Del Amitri is a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Glasgow, recognized for its melodic songcraft and emotionally resonant lyrics. The group is internationally known for the hit single "Roll to Me." Del Amitri's music features a blend of acoustic and electric instrumentation, rustic elements, and clever lyrics, making the band difficult to categorize within the pop and rock genres.

Justin Currie and Iain Harvie have remained the only consistent members throughout the band's history, serving as the primary songwriters. Early in their career, Del Amitri recorded "Sense Sickness" with the No Strings independent label, toured with groups such as the Fall and the Smiths, and recorded sessions with British DJ John Peel. Before releasing their self-titled debut album, the band appeared on the cover of Melody Maker, which identified Del Amitri as a British group poised for international recognition.

The band's commercial breakthrough came with the album "Waking Hours" on A&M Records, which peaked at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and featured the top 20 single "Nothing Ever Happens." Del Amitri achieved further commercial success in the 1990s with a shift toward polished power pop, releasing albums such as "Change Everything" (No. 2 UK), "Twisted" (No. 3 UK), and "Some Other Sucker's Parade" (No. 6 UK). These albums produced multiple UK Top 40 singles, including "Always the Last to Know." The single "Roll to Me" reached the Top 10 in the US charts, a notable accomplishment for a British act during that period. Del Amitri has sold more than six million albums worldwide.

After releasing "Can You Do Me Good?" in the early 2000s, the band went on an extended hiatus before returning for a series of reunion tours. In addition, Del Amitri recorded the official anthem for the Scottish World Cup squad, "Don't Come Home Too Soon." Frontman Justin Currie hinted at a reunion during an interview with Terry Wogan on BBC Radio 2, which led to a UK tour that included a performance for 8,000 people at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. The live album "Into the Mirror" was released following the tour, and the band played additional dates across the UK, demonstrating the enduring loyalty of their audience.

Del Amitri's creative resurgence continued with their seventh studio album. Drummer Ash Soan noted that work on the album began at Vada Studios in Worcestershire, and Currie confirmed that recording was completed just before a UK-wide lockdown. The band released the single "Close Your Eyes and Think of England" and the album "Fatal Mistakes" through Cooking Vinyl, accompanied by a bonus album, "Outtakes & B-Sides." "Fatal Mistakes" debuted at No. 5 on the UK Album Chart, marking the band's sixth album to reach the UK Top 10. Extensive touring followed across the UK, Europe, Australia, and North America. The band also announced a documentary, "You Can't Go Back," which premiered on Sky Arts.

In recent years, Del Amitri has continued to demonstrate resilience and artistic purpose. After fans noticed a tremor in his hand, Currie was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He addressed the experience in his memoir, "The Tremolo Diaries," a Top 5 Sunday Times bestseller shortlisted for the Penderyn Music Book Prize. Despite Currie's diagnosis, Del Amitri remains active, touring and recording, with additional dates added to their "Past to Present" UK tour and work underway on a new LP. The band's enduring presence highlights its significance in the Scottish rock and alternative music scene.