Ten City Nation

Formed in their hometown of Bury St Edmunds in 2007, Ten City Nation wasted no time in gigging like madmen – by November of that year, they were supporting NME darlings We Start Fires on a UK tour. Releasing their debut single and album in early 2008 (both are available as free downloads from the band’s official website), a sold-out single launch party at London’s Islington Bar Academy led to high-profile supports for Artrocker favourites Untitled Musical Project and Popular Workshop, which in turn led to an appearance at the Offset Festival alongside Wire, Future Of The Left and Blood Red Shoes. Ten City Nation also won the affections of BBC Radio Suffolk, who put the band forward to represent the station at the 2008 Reading & Leeds Festivals. The band also helped put together (and appeared on) a compilation in aid of Love Music Hate Racism, and embarked on a Summer 2008 Love Music Hate Racism tour with Popular Workshop, Nebraska, Kunk and hotly-tipped fellow Bury boys Thee Vicars. A song from the debut album, ‘TDK 90’, is featured on the new Suicide Girls movie.


2009 has seen Ten City Nation playing mostly festivals and all-dayers, and supporting future rock heroes Ipso Facto and Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring.


Ten City Nation’s critically-acclaimed new album, ‘At The Still Point’, was recorded and mixed on bassist Mike Smith’s farm in Suffolk in 3 days by Sam Marsh (formerly of early 90’s John Peel favourites Jacob’s Mouse). On release, it shot straight to 49 in Tower Records USA’s Alternative Top 100. Two songs from the album, ‘Silent Disco’ and ‘Flashing Lights’ were released as a double-A side 7” through cult label R*E*P*E*A*T Records in June 2009; XFM’s John Kennedy championed ‘Flashing Lights’ on his show and the single was launched with a packed-out Club Fandango headline show at the Dublin Castle in Camden.

AOLM's Martyn caught Ten City Nation at Weyfest in September. his reaction was 'More energy than a nuclear power station, you have to see them live!'

‘At The Still Point’ is out now on the band’s own Sturm Und Drang Recordings. You can listen to it, download it and buy it HERE.

"Ten City Nation manage to create a mood of their own, which is uncommon enough to be notable. Their moth-eaten darkness, their quest for disharmony, are evidence not only of their deep musical culture, but also of their radical talent." – This Is Fake DIY


“A relentless journey through thundering alternative rock… Ten City Nation could be on to something here.” – Artrocker

“Listen closely and you’ll notice the intricacies, layers and attention to detail. TCN understand that subtlety can be a powerful tool, and that makes them a very exciting prospect indeed.” – Rock Sound

“The best use of fuzz pedal we’ve heard this year… the kind of music that’s in search of beauty (7/10)” – NME

"It's loud, melodic, passionate and everything that most bands these days aren't; Ten City Nation demands to be heard, and you'd be a fool to ignore it..." – Kiss Me I’ve Quit Smoking


"Ten City Nation are an intriguing prospect... By the time they’ve finished their opening song, ‘prospect’ is meaningless - smashed apart by the imposing edifice of vehement rock and roll; forgotten in the hazy memory of a thrashing three-chord punk rock explosion. Like The Stooges before them, Ten City Nation have amazing presence... flailing around and dancing to a Mclusky-like noise... with the intent of a band that have been together for years." - Drownedinsound.com


"This is a brilliant album... Ten City Nation propels itself with an eclectic relentlessness. (Album of the Week)” – Treblezine


"A treat from start to finish, this eponymous masterpiece proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that Ten City Nation are a politically conscious, morally astute and musically gifted band that cannot be ignored." – Screaming Tarts


"Cried-out Stooges-style vocals, energetic jagged riffs, and a taut QOTSA-style bass and drum section that thunders like bison’s hoofs across abandoned deserts... atmospheric guitar patterns hove into view above night skies, before being interjected by urgent, stabbing, early Nirvana-esque guitars, drum rolls and Seymour’s frantically emotional vocals... an act that’s clearly looking to push into vital punk rock terrains." - God Is In The TV


"...on quality of songs alone, I am positive that "Ten City Nation" is streets ahead of 90% of underground music." – Subba-Cultcha


"I can’t say enough good things about this band, they deserve to be huge." - RoomThirteen.com