Carlisle is not well known for its music. In fact most people do not even know which side of the border it is on.

Despite this, Ctrlaltdelete have managed not only to become one of Carlisle’s most prominent bands, but they have also been signed to Cumbria’s fastest moving label, Motive Sounds.

Their first EP 'Mondegreens' sums up their instrumental rock sound perfectly and influences of Mogwai and Slint are affluent.

Ctrlaltdelete formed in 2001 but didn’t become a recognised local band until two years later when they self released a demo and began to play live.

Guitarist Ben Maxwell and bassist Laura Harrison are both former art students from Cambridge and they are currently looking for a new drummer after the previous drummer, Chris Hewitt, left the band.

'Mondegreens' opens with a gentle guitar riff before the drum beats get stronger building up to a crescendo of distorted guitar.

The second track, ‘All Our Greatest Memories are in Sepia’ has a more prominent bass line but continues on with waves of delicate guitar mixed with a heavier sounding drum score.

All four of the songs are between six and seven minutes long and some feel as though they could have been slightly shorter. 'Mondegreens', however, works as a demo and showcases the sound of the band perfectly.

An album is surely to follow, although it will need a little more variety to stop it becoming too sameish. If the band continue to improve and grow as much as they have from their first demo to their first EP the album will be one to look out for.


Track Listing