Echelon (band)

Biography

Guitarist Mark Brandon, bassist Owain North and vocalist Paul Usher met at an early age and played together in various lineups, however became serious about a career as a band following the recruitment of drummer Andrew Grant. Following a series of local gigs, the band caught the ear of rock legend Alan McGee in early 2004 who would subsequently sign the band to his Poptones label later that year.

The band gained momentum, supporting bands such as The Others and The Boxer Rebellion and doing their own headline tour surrounding the release of their first single Plus. The single received airplay from renowned DJs such as Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson, who made it single of the week on his BBC 6 Music evening show. The single also received airplay from XFM where the band did a live session. The debut single Plus was released on 8 November to positive reviews, and charted at Number 57 in the Official Charts, a great accomplishment for a relatively unknown band.

Cited as the 'kid brothers' of Radiohead Echelon moved into 2005 touring consistently and recording the follow-up to Plus and filming the corresponding video. After an appearance at Glastonbury the delayed follow up single Windows Shut/This Room (a double A-Side) was released on 17 October. Although appreciated by Radio One DJ Zane Lowe the single failed to match the airplay of the debut, reaching number 12 in the UK Indie Chart.

Echelon finished in 2006, briefly reforming as Mixed Business before becoming Magistrates. Members Usher, Grant, and Brandon formed a new band called Magistrates.

Discography