Miss Black America formed in October 1999. They toured incessantly in their own right and supported the likes of Dandy Warhols, Doves and Alabama 3. Miss Black America’s debut for Repeat Records, “The Adrenaline Junkie Class-A Mentalist EP” (May 2001), was picked up by Radio One DJs John Peel and Steve Lamacq, followed by a Peel Session for Radio One broadcast in July 2001. Their second single, “Don’t Speak My Mind”, came out in October 2001 on Dental Records, and also received Radio One airplay. Both singles appeared in John Peel’s year-end Festive 50.
Their critically acclaimed Integrity debut, “Infinite Chinese Box” (March 2002), gained further support from Peel and Lamacq and wider interest from regional and student radio. The video, incorporating footage of an awesome live gig in their hometown, was featured on mtv2.
Two further singles, “Talk Hard” (May 2002) and “Miss Black America” (September 2002), were taken from “God Bless Miss Black America”, their stunning debut album (recorded with Smiths/Jesus & Mary Chain producer Gavin Monaghan) released on Integrity in the UK in September 2002.
Between tours, Miss Black America managed to record further sessions for John Peel, Xfm, Virgin Radio, BBC 6, and BBC Radio Scotland, and played a live set from Maida Vale on Radio 1’s Lamacq Live. The videos for both singles were well supported by mtv2. Their year culminated in the final gig of a 30+ date tour being broadcast by John Peel as part of Radio 1 Live in Nottingham, followed by all 3 of their singles appearing in Peely’s year end Festive 50 (including Talk Hard at no.3 and MBA at no.11). After an exhausting year, Mike and Neil left MBA to pursue a project of their own (with Mike on guitar/vocals).
In December 2002, a new look Miss Black America was born. Never one to do anything by half, Seymour and his new bandmates made their live debut at the prestigious Eurosonic Festival in Groningen, Holland (as the special guests of Radio 1) followed by a weeklong Dutch tour. They returned to the UK to support Kinesis throughout February and Therapy? in May. A limited edition split 7″ on yellow vinyl on Repeat Records, in support of the ANL’s LMHR campaign, sold out completely.
The band split in 2006 but Seymour, Mike and Neil went on to form Ten City Nation whose excellent debut album was released on Repeat Records in 2008.
“MBA have all it takes to be your New Cult Heroes” – NME
“Pro-active punk worth pining for” – ROCKSOUND
“Enigmatic rockers” – KERRANG!
“Blind, youthful exuberance meets genuine nascent talent. Thrilling.” – THE GUARDIAN
“Searing rock’n’roll infused with passion and righteous fury” – EVENING STANDARD
“Thank God for Miss Black America” – NME
“We need Miss Black America” – THE FLY
“Explosive…adrenaline fuelled punk rock with classic outlaw attitude” THE GUARDIAN
“A band who really matter” – ROCK SOUND
“Band of the moment… they are good” – JOHN PEEL
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One Step – Ida Wenøe - Official music video for the single
