Del Amitri

The Dels, as they’re affectionately known to fans, started off in 1982 as a joint venture between frontman Justin Currie and guitarist Ian Harvie. Following the promising Sense Sickness EP on Glasgow indie label No Strings Records and a growing fanbase, the fledgling band signed to a major label and seemed primed for a breakthrough. However, their self-titled debut album failed to find a foothold and the Dels were back to square one.

The Glaswegians regrouped and a US tour landed them another record deal, this time with A&M. They recorded their second album Waking Hours with Gil Norton (Echo & The Bunnymen, Pixies) and Hugh Jones (Dumptruck, James) and dented the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with the singles Kiss This Thing Goodbye and Nothing Ever Happens.

With their third album, Del Amitri had properly settled into their jangly semi-acoustic rock niche, this time adding a little more bombast. The result, 1993’s Change Everything, saw them become household names and reach No.2 on the UK album charts, mostly down to the ubiquitous single Always The Last To Know and future fan favourite Be My Downfall.

It was a wearier sounding but no less impressive Del Amitri that resurfaced with 1995’s Twisted, Justin Currie’s lovelorn tales finding him increasingly on the losing side. The one exception proved to be the band’s biggest hit in the US, the jubilant Roll To Me. In typical style, the band somewhat distanced themselves from this uncharacteristic bout of positivity.

Despite positive reviews, their follow-up Some Other Sucker’s Parade struggled to live up to Twisted’s success, particularly in America. Still, it found a home with the band’s ever dedicated fanbase, Currie sounding as endearingly crumpled as ever on the single What I Think She Sees.

In 1998, Del Amitri recorded the official song for Scotland’s France ’98 World Cup bid. Entitled Don’t Come Home Too Soon, it nodded towards the team’s record of never making it past the group stages, a feat they once again failed to achieve. Later that year, the band released a greatest hits collection called Hatful Of Rain.

The Dels’ 2002 album Can You Do Me Good? would prove to be their last for some time. An extended hiatus followed, during which time Currie ventured out on his own, releasing four solo albums between 2007 and 2017.

The band briefly reformed for tours in 2014 and 2018. During the latter tour, Justin Currie suggested that a new album was a possibility. In 2020, he announced that a new album, Fatal Mistakes, was on its way, along with a special gig for NHS workers. The band released their first single in 18 years, Close Your Eyes And Think Of England, in late 2020, followed by It’s Feelings in early 2021.

In April 2021, the band announced an extensive UK tour to support Fatal Mistakes, set for September, October and December 2021.