by Chris True
A Cardiff, Wales, band brought together by a strong love of punk, grunge, and new wave, Attack! Attack! UK first started blowing audiences away in 2007. Their frenetic electro-screamo brand of 21st century attitude was a quick success, and by 2008, the band signed a deal with American label Rock Ridge and released its debut (a self-titled affair) that same year. In addition to garnering attention from the professionals in the biz, Attack! Attack! UK also managed to create quite a buzz with the civilians and colleagues in the rock music universe, sharing stages with such names as Lostprophets, Go:Audio, and Funeral for a Friend. The members of Attack! Attack! UK were no strangers or newbies to the scene, however. Neil Starr (vocals, guitar), Will Davies (bass), and Ryan Day (drums) had earned their stripes and honed their chops as part of such former outfits as Dopamine, Adequate Seven, Midasuno, and Petes Sake. In addition to a strong reception to their album from the rock press, Attack! Attack! UK landed the band a rather high-profile festival appearance, storming the stages at 2008's Reading and Leeds Festivals in England.