Deviant UK

Deviant UK is an English electronic band. It is the solo project of Jay Smith, formed in 2004. When playing live, Smith is joined by other live musicians.^[1]

Background

Deviant UK formed in 2004 as a synthpop band. The band name was initially picked as it was how the frontman described his outlook on life, ostensibly as 'something or someone outside the accepted norm'. Inspired by his hero Gary Numan, Smith candidly admitted his desire to live the fabled 'Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll' lifestyle.^[2]

The first album was released in October 2006, titled 'Barbed Wire Star'. It was met to critical acclaim with songs such as 'Access Denied' and 'Raptured Saints' being played on dance floors across Europe and the USA and combined with a virtually non-stop touring schedule, quickly earned the band a solid fanbase among fans of EBM, Industrial and Gothic genres.^[3][4] They have supported many bands involved in the current electronic scene including VNV Nation, The Cruxshadows and IAMX.^[5] Several collaborations came about including the song 'Mission' by German electro giants Rotersand, (from their hit 'I Cry EP') to which Smith provided lead vocals and lyrics. After this, Smith recorded a track with one of his other influences - Peter Spilles from the German band Project Pitchfork. before going onto support them on a 20 date US Tour.^[6] Later he would co-write and record vocals for the song 'For Their Glory' with German EBM legends Tyske Ludder, performing it with them at a number of European concerts including Amphi Festival 2012.

In 2011 Deviant UK released their second album, titled 'Very Bad Things' in February, preceded by a 10 track EP - the 'Wreckhead RMX EP' which featured remixes from scene heavyweights Grendel and Assemblage 23 alongside others from upcoming UK acts Surgyn, Method Cell and 19ninetynine among others. Housed in a sleeve designed by acclaimed street artist MNSTR, 'Very.Bad.Things.' showcased a considerably more aggressive, varied and muscular sound. Both releases proved to be successful in the UK (holding the No.1 slot in the MNS Alternative Chart for over a month and going onto be No.4 in the Bestseller chart for 2011) and perhaps more importantly in Mainland Europe.^[7]

In October and November 2012 Deviant UK undertook a 20 date US Tour with The Gothsicles, Die Sektor, Carved Souls and Canadian act 'for all the emptiness' .^[8] Not without incident, the 'Theory Of Revolution' tour proved to be something of a rebirth for him, having recently admitted to overcoming issues that he claimed had turned him into 'the worst kind of monster' ^[9]

In January 2013, Smith signed a new record deal with legendary Chicago-based label WTII Records,^[10] announcing a special US edition of 'Very. Bad. Things.' to be released in April. A new Deviant UK studio album is in production for release in late 2014 to be supported by extensive UK, European & US Tourdates throughout the year and into 2014^[11]

Discography

• 2004 'PornoGothic' EP (self-released 3 track demo)
• 2006 'Barbed Wire Star' CD Album (Rebco Records)
• 2010 'Wreckhead RMX EP' (Egomania/Remote Music)
• 2011 'Very.Bad.Things.' CD Album (Egomania/Remote Music)
• 2013 'Very.Bad.Things. US Deluxe Edition' CD Album (WTII Records)

References

External links

• Deviant UK's Facebook Page