The Crimea

by Kenyon Hopkin
London group the Crimea has its roots in the Crocketts, who were signed to V2 in the U.K. in 1998, only to be dropped in 2001. Undaunted, vocalist/guitarist Davey MacManus (a published author of stories and poems who has also performed under the name Kernel Krok) and drummer Owen Hopkin (a journalist for such publications as Kerrang and the NME) formed the Crimea in 2002. Although later solidifying the lineup with guitarist Andy Norton, keyboardist Andrew Stafford, and bassist Joseph Udwin, the two recorded the majority of the Crimea's debut full-length on an eight-track recorder in between day jobs. The band self-released three singles, and, after a showcase at the South by Southwest festival in Texas in 2004, the Crimea -- who had received high praise from the respected John Peel and played with Travis, Primal Scream and Ash -- were signed to Warner Bros. The Crimea's debut album, Tragedy Rocks was released in 2005, with the first single from the album, "Lottery Winners on Acid," released in January 2006, entering the U.K. singles chart at number 31.