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Xi are an improbable collision of heavy, up-front rock with dark and discordant electronic artistry. Songs, sometimes angry, sometimes poignant, combine brooding lyrics, wild guitars and a pounding, relentless rhythm section - only to move on to material with a sense of mystery enhanced by moody keyboards and interweaving, multi-layered guitars.

Live, Xi are a huge sound, an energetic, un-predictable stage show and unfailing entertainment. Refusing all "niche" labels they play Rock in its most eclectic form.

At the end of the last century, Leeds band Æon imploded - partly as a result of the stresses engendered by the final of a national Battle of the Bands style competition. The drummer left, leaving DAZ, FLIMSY, BILL and LEGGE with a headful of tunes and nowhere to go.

Xi was born in the first Summer of the new millennium with the arrival of DOINK - refugee from post-operative shock, Milton Keynes and bands with names like POISON DWARF. The first decision the new band made was to play Dark Guitar Rock for the 21st Century. The second was not to have anything to do with Battles of the Bands under any circumstances, ever - a decision they have stuck with both as a band and as part of the team that runs Leeds venue the Royal Park Cellars. The remainder of 2000 saw furious rehearsal and songwriting as the band grew into its new identity and re-launched itself on the local gig scene

2001 Despite illness resulting in DAZ being put under medical orders to not sing for three months, Xi continued to write and rehearse with a vocally silent frontman. By the Summer, with Daz's full recovery, the band were ready for their first recording. The mini-album LEARNING was enthusiastically received locally and the short CD-R run quickly sold out.

"From tracks one to seven the five-piece extol the virtues of loud, wild guitars, pounding bass and beats, and vocals that sound like they have been ripped from the larynx of frontman Daz".
Yorkshire Evening Post

"This CD is seven slabs of rough granite, tortured off the same distant quarry and stacked against each other like unfinished tombstones. Turn 'em on, turn 'em up and obliviate your way to Valhalla".
Leeds Music Scene Website

But 2001 had its sadness too - the band's sound engineer and mentor Terry Airth died unexpectedly in November at the age of 46. His loss was to leave a lasting mark on the band - but his legacy to them was a level of commitment and professionalism that marked them out from many of their contemporaries

2002 Saw Xi ready to hit the road. A warm-up gig at local venue The New Roscoe supporting legendary rockers SAXON showed that Xi could dish it out with the best:

"Xi burst in with a cracker of a set. Six songs played with enthusiasm, honesty and loads of skill. The bass and drums were nimble heavyweights charging through the repertoire like monozygotic rhinos. On a couple of crescendos the well-sustained double time kick drum and terrific bass lines made the foundations shake. I liked the new song "Headspace" and the older ones were played with a fierce and delighted commitment."
Leeds Music Scene Website

The "Cold World" UK tour that followed - named after the song the band wrote as a tribute to Terry - saw Xi extremely well received by an audience of 300+ Bon Jovi fans in Bristol, where they supported tribute band "By Jovi" - but also selling out the final copies of "Learning" to enthusiastic metal kidz in Cambridge who were climbing over each other to get copies.

With "Learning" sold out and tour experience under their belts, Xi were straight back into the studio to record a new three track demo. Again there were enthusiastic local reviews:

"…an intriguing showcase for the atmospheric and frankly rather dark soundscapes of the Leeds based five-piece….The fact that all three tracks were largely recorded and produced by the band themselves makes this demo all the more impressive"
Yorkshire Evening Post

..and earned an awesome 9 out of 10 score from a notoriously critical reviewer on the internet:

"…very polished, very assured tracks with fiery music bursting out from the dark forms that guide it. Bass lines and drum patterns create a brooding and edgy mood. When needed they get big brutal and scary. There's no clichéed plodding, not even for a minute. This stuff is honed and battle ready."
Leeds Music Scene Website

Even more rewarding was that this demo caught the attention of Simon Hinkler, guitarist with THE MISSION throughout that band's glory days. In a personal review he said:

" 'Not There Anywhere'….one of those songs that draws you in and takes you for a ride…. Xi are able to explore discord and still manage to keep it musical. I'm reminded, oddly enough, of early Banshees. By the time we reach the guitar solo you're immersed. But it goes further. The band take it way down for a surprising change section that builds gradually back towards a dark, dark chorus, this time with an added guitar part which I can only describe as disturbing"

By the end of 2002, with advice from Simon and local producer Bruce Wood, Xi were committed to starting the long haul to produce a debut album.

2003 Taking time out from the intensive song-writing and demo recording process for the album B-List Xi consolidated their position as a gigging band by undertaking their second UK tour. The "Not There Everywhere" tour saw the band play 15 gigs in 17 days in venues as far apart as Brighton and Aberdeen.
Danny Carr, reviewing the Wakefield show for Leeds Music Scene wrote:

"The rumbling rhythms and mad squeals leave the room sweating. Dry is haunting and atmospheric while Bored is contrary to its title and showcases just how tight Bill and Doink are locked in together. ….their final song… is a rip-roaring ride through the dreams that these lads have at night when they final manage to get some sleep…… their ability to write a catchy hook and deliver a melody driven rock anthem shows a diverse range of influences that border on progressive simply because of the rock-opera drama that their show utilises. And so, the final chords ring out, the bar finally shuts and the various shadows melt away into the night as Xi climb into the tour bus and look to the road ahead."
Leeds Music Scene

At a warm-up show in Scarborough (supporting the legendary Spear of Destiny) DOINK was kidnapped by extra-terrestrials and replaced with an alien simulacrum Doink, who the band eventually decided to keep on. Proof can be found at the band's website http://www.xi-uk.com

In the summer of 2003, the band were added to the POGOMOTION roster. A successful autumn tour followed, and in 2004 the debut album was recorded, with 4 major UK wide tours completed.

Now in 2005, the band is seeking a record deal and will be stepping up their gigging schedule with a major gig onslaught from Spring 2005 onwards.

In July 2002 Xi released their first self-recorded demo tracks. Three songs that will not be available for sale but will be available free on CD at gigs or as MP3's via the link below.
Now for the anoraky stuff: - Personnel:
Daz (guitars; lead vocals); Doink (Percussion; bv's)
Flimsy John (guitars); Bill (bass; bv's); Legge (keys, acoustic guitar)
All tracks produced by Jedward & Xi. Recorded at Vinery using an Akai DPS12i disk based digital recorder except vocals and drums. Drums recorded by Jedward & Xi at Mook rehearsal. Vocals recorded by Bruce Wood at Touchwood. Mixed by Xi on an extremely touchy PC and mastered by Bruce Wood at Touchwood.
These tracks may be downloaded free from Xi Discography page

Xi's first single - LOW - is now available to buy on-line from the BURBS ROCKSHOP for just £2.50. Just click HERE to be taken to the purchase page.


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