Yan (Jan Scott Wilkinson) - Vocals, guitar
Noble (Martin Noble) - Guitar
Hamilton (Neil Hamilton Wilkinson) - Bass, vocals, guitar
Wood (Matthew Wood) - Drum
Phil Sumner - Cornet, Keyboards
Abi Fry - Viola
Yan, Hamilton and Wood are school friends from Kendal in Cumbria. They were in a number of bands together while at school, but after finishing his exams Yan moved to study at Reading University, where he met guitarist Noble. A few years later Hamilton and Wood moved down to join them and form a band.
They played some gigs and produced a 4 track demo in Reading as British Air Powers, before relocating to Brighton in search of a more vibrant music scene. "British Sea Power" was actually the name of one of these demo tracks, and was eventually reworked into Carrion. In Brighton, BSP amassed a strong local following, due mainly to their own club night called "Club Sea Power". The club nights featured many different support bands, and other forms of entertainment such as a 1930s fashion show, and were most frequently hosted at the Freebutt and the Lift (the latter has now closed down).
Their debut single, Fear of Drowning, was issued in limited numbers of their own Golden Chariot label. The artwork for the B side "A Wooden Horse" borrows heavily from the dust cover of the 1950 book "The Wooden Horse" that details the escape of Allied POWs during WWII. Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records saw the band live and in September 2001 signed them to his label. A number of singles were issued on the label, and Eamon (Eamon Hamilton) was recruited to play live keyboards in autumn 2002.
The Decline of British Sea Power, the band's debut album, was released in June 2003 to critical acclaim. A single from the album, "Carrion", became the band's first Top 40 single. The album only charted in the lower reaches of the UK Album Chart, but turned out to be a word of mouth success, shipping well over 60,000 copies over the following two years and allowing them to play sell-out UK tours to venues of over 1,000 people.
The follow-up, Open Season, was released in early April 2005, and also enjoyed wide critical praise. It showcased a more accessible, produced sound and charted at #13 in the UK Albums Chart. Lead single It Ended on an Oily Stage charted at #18 in the UK Singles Chart a week earlier.
British Sea Power have a reputation for elaborate and well-thought out live shows and won the 2004 Time Out London Live Band of the Year award. The stage is often decorated with foliage and plastic birds and sets generally finish with a semi-improvised song called "Rock in A", which sometimes lasts for over 20 minutes. Various members often climb riggings and tear down the foliage, Eamon walks around the audience beating his marching drum, and a ten-foot bear, Ursine Ultra, occasionally makes an appearance - often taking a beating from various band members. This has become one of the signatures of the band. Their tours often include unusual venues such as the Scillonian Club on the Isles of Scilly, Grasmere Village Hall, the St. John Boste Social Club in Kendal, Cumbria and Carnglaze Caverns in Cornwall.
The band have built up an eccentric image in interviews and press releases; some of which is based on fact, other times merely whimsical building of outward personas. This has included giving journalists grid references at which to meet them, and expressing obsessions with Field Marshal Montgomery and bird watching.
The band has a fiercely loyal and devoted hardcore fanbase, sometimes referred to as the Third Battalion.
At the beginning of 2006, it was announced that Eamon had left British Sea Power to concentrate on his own band Brakes. The group spent part of late 2006 working on new material in Montréal, and are preparing a DVD.
In 2007, American Laundromat Records announced that British Sea Power would record a version of the Pixies' "Caribou" for an album called "Dig For Fire - A Tribute To Pixies."
In October 2007, the band went on tour throughout the east coast of America to showcase their new 5-track EP, Krankenhaus EP. In November 2007, they toured a variety of unusual locations in the UK including a seaside cafe in Saltdean, East Sussex; a ferry across the River Mersey, Liverpool; the Tan Hill Inn, the UK's highest inn; All Saints Church in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and White Mischief, an indoor festival mixing live bands with unusual vaudeville acts.
Their Krankenhaus? EP was released digitally for purchasable download in October 2007 and was released on CD and vinyl on November the 20th. Their third album, Do You Like Rock Music? was released on 14th January 2008 in the U.K. and scheduled for release on 12th February 2008 in the U.S. Prior to their tour in support of Do You Like Rock Music? (visiting Ireland, UK, Belgium, Holland, Germany and US), Wood injured his back and had to be temporarily replaced by Tom White of Electric Soft Parade and Brakes fame.
In January 2008 the keyboard and cornet player ended up in hospital after being knocked unconscious when he attempted a stage dive. The crowd at Leeds Irish Centre failed to catch Phil Sumner, who jumped off a 12-foot PA system landing head first. The press department at Rough Trade Records reported "The impact knocked him out. Thankfully an ambulance was quickly summoned and he was whisked away, bloody and unconscious and despite a concussion, a broken molar and a maze of stitches in his chin, a very groggy Phil is expected to make a full recovery." In spite of this, he returned to the stage with the rest of the band a day later in Kendal.
In February 2008, the band appeared on Later with Jools Holland, playing Waving Flags, Canvey Island and No Lucifer. They were ably accompanied by a small number of the London Bulgarian Choir and a display of Cumbrian wrestling. The band are also scheduled to play at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Latitude, T in the Park and Bestival.
In May 2009, British Sea Power released their fourth album, Man of Aran. Several tracks on this album are remakes of older songs, such as the main riff from North Hanging Rock which features in the new track Boy Vertiginous. The album comes paired with a DVD containing the Robert J. Flaherty film 'Man of Aran', a silent film with music from the album dubbed in.
In October 2010, British Sea Power released the seven track 'Zeus' ep and announced the release of their next album, 'Valhalla Dancehall' in January 2011.
In November 2011, the band started hosting a regular club evening in Brighton called "Krankenhaus" that recalled some of their Club British Sea Power events. DJ sets, friends of the band and general BSP hijinx.
On 9 August 2021, British Sea Power announced they were changing their name to Sea Power. In a statement the band explained:
"In recent times there’s been a rise in a certain kind of nationalism in this world – an isolationist, antagonistic nationalism that we don’t want to run any risk of being confused with. It’s become apparent that it’s possible to misapprehend the name British Sea Power, particularly if someone isn’t familiar with the band or their recordings. We’ve always been internationalist in our mindset, something made clear in songs like Waving Flags, an anthem to pan-European idealism. We always wanted to be an internationalist band but maybe having a specific nation state in our name wasn’t the cleverest way to demonstrate that. We very much hope the band’s audience won’t be affronted by this adjustment to the name. We’d like to make it clear that removing the word “British” does NOT indicate any aversion to the British Isles whatsoever. We all feel immensely fortunate to have grown up in these islands. Several or our songs are filled with love and awe for this place. We do love these lands. We all still live within the British Isles, but we are now just Sea Power. We feel the name change comes in part from the band’s audience – who at a good show will shout out, “Sea Power! Sea Power!” Maybe this name change has been there for years, shouted in our ears. It’s just taken us this long to realise – to hear what was there in front of us… "
Living Is So Easy
British Sea Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the Dame Vera clay pigeon shoot
But it was over, oh, so fast
It was a blast
So here's to all the dirty girls
They're taking on all of the world
Accessorized up to the hilt
Northern girls
Are you going to the party?
Southern boys
Are you going to the party?
Everyone, the wessies and the ossies
Everyone is going to the party
And we know that you will understand, no, oh
Living is so easy
(Living is so easy)
Shopping is so easy
(Shopping is so easy)
Dying is so easy
(Dying is so easy)
All of it is easy
(All of it is easy)
I love your celebrity
Your VPL in the SUV
And then you're pissing vitamins
It is a sin
LVMH in the HLM
Luxury it will descend
I won't be looking at your eyes
In the end
Rive Gauche girls
Are you going to the party?
Banlieue boys
Are you going to the party?
Everyone, the cops and the commies
Everyone is going to the party
And we know that you will understand, no, oh
Living is so easy
(Living is so easy)
Shopping is so easy
(Shopping is so easy)
Dying is so easy
(Dying is so easy)
All of it is easy
(All of it is easy)
Northern girls
Are you going to the party?
Southern boys
Are you going to the party?
Everyone is going to the party
Everyone is going to the party
And we know that you will understand, no, oh
Living is so easy
Living is so easy
Living is so easy
Kissing is so easy
Dancing is so easy
Shopping is so easy
It's never been so
The British Sea Power's song "Living Is So Easy" is a critique of contemporary culture's emphasis on consumerism and materialism. The opening lines speak about a clay pigeon shoot, and the singer observes a woman who looks "cute." However, the event, like most consumerist activities, is over quickly, and the singer observes, "it was a blast." The next verse turns its attention to the "dirty girls" who are "taking on all of the world." These lines are a nod towards the women who rebel against traditional gender roles and embrace their sexuality. The chorus is a repetitive chant that highlights how consumerism has made life too easy. Living, shopping, and dying, which are supposed to be hard, are now too easy. The following verses address the same themes, with slightly different angles. Women in high-end cars are celebrated, but their vanity is ridiculed - "pissing vitamins" is a clear sign of the superficial life they lead. The song continues by questioning those who have luxurious possessions and how they obtained them.
The song is a reminder that consumption has consequences, with lines in the chorus such as "all of it is easy," reminding us that our lives' challenges are masked by modern luxuries. The repeated questions of "Northern girls, Southern boys, are you going to the party?" and "Rive Gauche girls, banlieue boys, are you going to the party?" shows that the band is speaking to a wide audience, regardless of geography or social class. Ultimately, the British Sea Power is reminding us that consumerism is an insidious force that affects all of us, and we need to be aware of its impact on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, oh, my god, did she look cute
Wow, did she look absolutely adorable
At the Dame Vera clay pigeon shoot
She was at the shooting event hosted by Dame Vera and looked cute
But it was over, oh, so fast
Unfortunately, the event was short-lived
It was a blast
But it was still incredibly fun
So here's to all the dirty girls
Here's a toast to all the rebellious and nonconformist girls
They're taking on all of the world
They're challenging and confronting the whole world with their actions
Accessorized up to the hilt
They're fully equipped and prepared with all the necessary tools and outfits
No one got killed
Despite everything, there were no casualties
Northern girls
Girls from the North
Are you going to the party?
Are you attending the party?
Southern boys
Boys from the South
Everyone, the wessies and the ossies
Everyone, whether from the West or East
Everyone is going to the party
Everyone is invited and attending the party
And we know that you will understand, no, oh
We know that you'll comprehend and relate to what we're saying
Living is so easy
Living life is effortless and uncomplicated
(Living is so easy)
Shopping is so easy
Buying things is simple and straightforward
(Shopping is so easy)
Dying is so easy
Death comes easily
(Dying is so easy)
All of it is easy
Everything is easy
(All of it is easy)
I love your celebrity
I love how famous you are
Your VPL in the SUV
Your visible panty line in the SUV
And then you're pissing vitamins
And then you're taking supplements and peeing them out
It is a sin
It's not good for you despite how it may appear
LVMH in the HLM
LV Moët Hennessy in the high-rise apartment buildings
Luxury it will descend
Luxury will gradually decline in the lower-class areas
I won't be looking at your eyes
I won't be able to look into your eyes
In the end
Ultimately
Rive Gauche girls
Girls from the Left Bank
Banlieue boys
Boys from the suburbs
Everyone, the cops and the commies
Everyone, including both the police and the Communists
Living is so easy
Living life is effortless and uncomplicated
(Living is so easy)
Shopping is so easy
Buying things is simple and straightforward
(Shopping is so easy)
Dying is so easy
Death comes easily
(Dying is so easy)
All of it is easy
Everything is easy
(All of it is easy)
Northern girls
Girls from the North
Are you going to the party?
Are you attending the party?
Southern boys
Boys from the South
Everyone is going to the party
Everyone is invited and attending the party
It's never been so easy
It's never been this effortless
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ABIGAIL FRY, JAN WILKINSON, MARTIN NOBLE, MATTHEW WOOD, NEIL WILKINSON, PHILLIP SUMNER, MATTHEW JAMES WOOD, NEIL HAMILTON WILKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
юрий панин
Потрясающая группа!!!!!!!!!!
Ch0va
Полностью согласен)
space75gr
pure magic! my favorite song of 2010 (almost). the most underrated band of the last 10 years
Socracle
Make that 20
Arvin Johnson
The keyboard player is a maths teacher at my school!! Rock on Mr Sumner!! :D
Adham Sallam
@??my mistake, I meant (is)
??
@Adham Sallam was?
Gonzalo Ignacio
Indeed
Adham Sallam
It's an old comment, but what a cool teacher he is.
Nick Falletta
criminally underrated