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… "
Waving Flags
British Sea Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So welcome in
Are rising in the East and setting in the West
All waving flags
We're all waving flags now
Waving flags
But don't be scared
And you, you will be here for a while
And it's all a joke
Oh, it's all a joke
Oh
Are here of legal drinking age, on minimum wage
Well, welcome in
From across the Vistula, you've come so very far
All waving flags
We're all waving flags now
Waving flags
But don't be scared
'Cause you, you will be here for a while
And it's all a joke
Oh, it's all a joke
Oh
Beer is not dark
Beer is not light
It just tastes good
Especially tonight
(Oh welcome in)
So welcome in, we are barbarians
Oh welcome in, across the Carpathians
Oh welcome in, we are from Slavia
Oh welcome in, across the stadion (?)
Oh we cant fail, not with Czech ecstasy
No we won't fail, not with Czech ecstasy
So welcome in
The lyrics of "Waving Flags" by British Sea Power present a welcoming message to different groups of people who might join the party. The opening lines refer to the presence of "astronomical fans of alcohol," which sets the tone for a celebration fueled by drinks. The following lines allude to the sunrise and sunset, which suggest the passage of time and the continuity of traditions. The "waving flags" can be interpreted as a sign of allegiance or enthusiasm towards the gathering, as if people from different regions and backgrounds were coming together in solidarity.
As the chorus repeats, "we're all waving flags now," there is a sense of inclusion and unity that overrides any potential differences or conflicts. The lyrics emphasize that there is no need to be scared or uncertain about joining the festivities, as everyone is welcome to take part in the revelry. The line "and you, you will be here for a while, and it's all a joke" also implies a lack of responsibility or seriousness attached to the party, further emphasizing its carefree and joyful spirit.
The second verse addresses another group of people who might feel marginalized or excluded: those who are "on minimum wage" and "of legal drinking age." By welcoming them "across the Vistula," British Sea Power seems to acknowledge the struggles and hardships that people face in their daily lives, but also offers a respite or escape from those difficulties through the communal experience of the party.
Overall, "Waving Flags" celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and the power of shared experiences to bring people together. The lyrics convey a sense of excitement, anticipation, and camaraderie, as if the listeners were already part of the party and singing along to the anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
You are astronomical fans of alcohol
You all really enjoy drinking a lot of alcohol.
So welcome in
Welcome to our group or party.
Are rising in the East and setting in the West
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West, which is a universal constant.
All waving flags
We are all celebrating or showing our support for something or someone by waving flags.
We're all waving flags now
We are all united and showing our support for the same thing or cause.
Waving flags
Continuation of the idea of the previous line, indicating that we are still waving flags in support.
But don't be scared
Don't worry or be afraid of anything, everything is going to be okay.
And you, you will be here for a while
You are going to stay with us for some time.
And it's all a joke
Everything we are doing or saying is not serious, it's all in good fun.
Oh, it's all a joke
Reiteration of the previous line, that everything is not serious and just meant to be enjoyed.
Are here of legal drinking age, on minimum wage
You are legally allowed to drink alcohol, but not making much money.
Well, welcome in
We still welcome you and want you to join us.
From across the Vistula, you've come so very far
You've travelled a long distance to be here with us, and we appreciate that.
Because you, you will be here for a while
You are going to stay with us for a decent amount of time.
Beer is not dark
Beer does not have to be dark in color to be good or enjoyable.
Beer is not light
Beer does not have to be light in color to be good or enjoyable.
It just tastes good
Regardless of the color or type of beer, it can still taste great and be enjoyable.
Especially tonight
We are having a great time and enjoying ourselves tonight, including the beer we are drinking.
(Oh welcome in)
Continuation of the idea of welcoming someone to our group or party.
So welcome in, we are barbarians
We are a wild and crazy group, but still welcoming you to join us.
Oh welcome in, across the Carpathians
Welcome to our party or group, even if you had to come from far away.
Oh welcome in, we are from Slavia
We are from the country of Slavia, but still welcoming you to join us.
Oh welcome in, across the stadion (?)
Another welcome to our group, but the meaning of 'stadion' is not clear.
Oh we cant fail, not with Czech ecstasy
We are confident that our party or group will be successful because of the excitement and energy we bring, specifically referencing Czech culture.
No we won't fail, not with Czech ecstasy
Reiteration of the confidence in our group, specifically referencing the power of Czech culture to make the party successful.
So welcome in
Closing of the song with a final welcome to join us and celebrate together.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAN WILKINSON, JAN SCOTT WILKINSON, MARTIN NOBLE, MATTHEW WOOD, MATTHEW JAMES WOOD, NEIL WILKINSON, NEIL HAMILTON WILKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aleksander Koss
I was listening to this song ten years ago when travelling from Poland to UK, no money in my pocket and absolutely didn't know what to expect. Really uplifting and heartwarming. It's good to get back to it ten years later.
Eddie Kowalski
But power on your phone 🤔
euan milne
it is very easy to find a place to charge a phone
wayne curzon
@Eddie Kowalski negative Nancie
Safe-Keeper
@Eddie Kowalski found the Brexit voter.
John Metcalfe
Clearly a scholar and a gentleman, welcome to Britain 👌 welcome home friend
Cgiese80
Thank you Ted Lasso for showing me this masterpiece. This song gives me goosebumps
Simeon Andróczi
Same here, just watched it yesterday after my brothers recommendation, and man this song hit me in the feels
Chaitanya Kirti
Amazing after Playing Disco I looked up all the magical music made by Sea Powers and this seems to be the most prominent one!
Eoin Cranney
Skins, you never let me down with your music :)