Birdeatsbaby’s name was literally dreamt up by band leader Mishkin Fitzgerald, back in her teens after a particularly long bout of insomnia. Often sleep deprived and on medication the flame haired singer would have strong hallucinations and nightmares, resulting in most of the material from the band’s first record “Here She Comes-a-Tumblin’”. Fitzgerald, having had most of her musical training at church, was strongly influenced by hymns, classical music and later on, all things rock ‘n’ roll.
Joined by Garry Mitchell (guitar, bass, double bass) when the two met studying music at University in Brighton, a thriving musical partnership was formed, with a mutual love for dark and progressive music. After a few line-up changes the band has now settled with Forbes Coleman on drums (also the band’s producer), and Hana Maria on violin.
Over the years the band’s sound has changed drastically, starting out in the punk cabaret scene, and now progressing into to a huge stadium rock sound with orchestral layers, bold guitars and intricate arrangements, comparable with other musical oddities such as Muse, Kate Bush, Evanescence and even Marilyn Manson. If other bands try to fit in with musical trends then Birdeatsbaby are sticking out like a bunch of sore thumbs.
The band has amassed a cult-like following across the world (aptly named “The Flock”) and been able to successfully crowd-fund each of their releases through the help of their fans, namely their 2014 release “The Bullet Within” which raised £11,000 on Kickstarter. The band have also had support from some high name artists including Amanda Palmer & Neil Gaiman, and toured extensively in UK, mainland Europe, America and Mexico.
Now back with their fourth studio album “TANTA FURIA” (co-produced by Coleman and Fitzgerald), Birdeatsbaby have returned with a soundtrack for the soulful, haunting, riotous celebration of life in all it’s heavenly highs and drowning lows. The album goes deep and hits home in all the most human ways possible, this is a bold, artistic concept record. From the filthy, sexy dirge “Temple” where Mishkin snarls “if my body is a temple, desecrate me”, to the bleak and poignant “Eulogy”, a fitting end to the record “now that I’m grown I just sink like a stone through the comfort of gravity”.
Birdeatsbaby are the genuine article, a close-knit group of friends, intent on finishing the story together. Now let the music speak for itself.
You can find out ore on their website, follow them on facebook or check out their music on Youtube