Eleventh He Reaches London

Eleventh He Reaches London started in December 1999 as the quartet, Our Lasting Loss, with Mark Donaldson on drums, Ian Lenton on lead vocals and guitar, Alex Lucas on bass guitar and Jayden Worts on lead guitar; all were aged 17.

In 2001 their track, "You Left Me at the Crossroads Like Val Kilmer in Willow", appeared on a various artists' compilation album, Left of Centre 2. It was recorded with Allen Smith producing, at Bergerk! Studios, and mixed and mastered by Rob Swire of Pendulum. Shortly after Lucas left the band and was replaced by Brad Rowland on bass guitar.

They changed their name in late 2002, which comes from an epic poem, Don Juan, by Lord Byron: in its eleventh chapter, the protagonist reaches London. In late 2003 the band released its first extended play, Diving for Treacher. Smith produced, mixed and mastered the three-track EP, their line-up changed again with Craig McElhinney replacing Rowland and the addition of Jeremy Martin, as their third guitarist, adding a new dimension to its sound.

During 2004 Eleventh He Reaches London played supported other artists, Against Me!, Shai Hulud and The Nation Blue. In October of that year they completed four shows in Melbourne. Martin described the group's style in December 2005:

Collectively, we listen to a very diverse range of music, and I think our music reflects this. We all like many of the same artists, but each of us have quite different tastes. All of us enjoy listening to and creating music that is dramatic, and that creates a strong sense of mood... We don't fit neatly into any one scene within Perth, and we are more than happy about this. While some may see it as a disadvantage, for us it means we have the pleasure of performing alongside artists playing a diverse range of styles. Playing with the same bands and to the same crowd week in, week out tends to get tedious, and removes any element of surprise a gig may have. It removes the challenge of attempting to win over punters that haven't seen or heard you before.{{cite web |url=http://www.xpressmag.com.au/archives/2005/12/eleventh_he_rea.php |title=Eleventh He Reaches Heaven interview |publisher=Xpress Magazine |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903123531/http://www.xpressmag.com.au/archives/2005/12/eleventh_he_rea.php |archivedate=3 September 2007}}

In early 2005, the band returned to Bergerk! Studios with Allen Smith to record their first studio album.{{cite web |url=http://www.rockus.com.au/common/archives/interviews/eleventhhereacheslondon.html |title=Eleventh He Reaches London

|publisher=Rockus Online Magazine |date=1 September 2005 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070906124248/http://rockus.com.au/common/archives/interviews/eleventhhereacheslondon.html |archivedate = 6 September 2007}} The group performed at the West Australian Music Industry Awards Festival and RTRFM's In the Pines, as well as being the only main stage support act on the Perth leg of Taste of Chaos, where they performed to a sold-out Robinson Pavilion with the Used, Killswitch Engage, Funeral for a Friend, Story of the Year and Rise Against.{{cite web |url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/2408/Locals-Get-A-Taste-Of-Chaos.htm?city=8 |title=Locals get a taste of chaos |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au |date=3 June 2006 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223052605/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/2408/Locals-Get-A-Taste-Of-Chaos.htm?city=8 |archive-date=23 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.accessallareas.net.au/music_news/EEEZAZlAkuZXRNUdxJ.php |title=Local bands announced for Taste of Chaos tour! |publisher=5 June 2005 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721092012/http://www.accessallareas.net.au/music_news/EEEZAZlAkuZXRNUdxJ.php |archivedate=21 July 2008}} After six months in the recording studio, with the album mastered by Shaun O'Callaghan at Studio Couch, The Good Fight for Harmony was released on 14 December 2005. It reached the top of the local charts, almost selling out of its first pressing within a month and a half.{{cite web |url=http://www.sonicfrontiers.net/php/feature_16 |title=Best albums of 2006 |publisher=SonicFrontiers.net |accessdate=11 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724073753/http://www.sonicfrontiers.net/php/feature_16 |archivedate=24 July 2011}} "Say You See Why So" received airplay on Triple J{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/shortfastloud/playlists/shortfastloud_month_main_August2007.htm |title=Shout Fast Loud playlists |publisher=ABC Radio |accessdate=11 July 2008}} and local radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.rtrfm.com.au/shows/drivetime?ShowDates%5Bstart%5D=20 |title=Drivetime playlists |publisher=RTRFM |accessdate=11 July 2008}}

In 2006 Eleventh He Reaches London started writing for a second album. The band performed as part of the WAMi Festival{{cite web|url=http://www.wam.asn.au/wamifest06.htm |title=WAMi Festival 2006 |publisher=Western Australian Music Industry Association |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080321003150/http://www.wam.asn.au/wamifest06.htm |archivedate = 21 March 2008}} and won its first WAMi Award (for 'Favourite Newcomer'). The band completed a short Western Australia tour with Gyroscope, supported Les Savy Fav, returned to Melbourne to promote The Good Fight For Harmony, and also supported Coheed and Cambria on their first Australian tour.{{cite web |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/gigs/gig,49410.sm;jsessionid=0E5F73C2A9871D43A3234634A952AF00 |title=Coheed and Cambria |publisher=Rockdetector.com |accessdate=11 July 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite web |url=http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9895 |title=10 Bands You Should Know

|publisher=Decoymusic.com |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070808013035/http://decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9895 |archivedate = 8 August 2007}} In 2007, they band played support for Converge,{{cite web |url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/7800/Converge-aint-no-heroes.htm |title=Converge ain't no heroes |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au |date=7 February 2007 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524031547/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/7800/Converge-aint-no-heroes.htm |archive-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=dead }} ISIS{{cite web |url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/7781/ISIS-Eleventh-He-Reaches-London-Amplifier-Bar-Perth-08022007.htm |title=ISIS, Eleventh He Reaches London @Amplifier Bar, Perth |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au |date=9 February 2007 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205004435/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/7781/ISIS-Eleventh-He-Reaches-London-Amplifier-Bar-Perth-08022007.htm |archive-date=5 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.themetalforge.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=755 |title=ISIS: Return To Australian Shores In 2007 |publisher=Metal Forge.com |accessdate=11 July 2008}} and Funeral for a Friend on the Perth leg of their respective Australian tours and won a second WAMi Award ('Best Hardcore/Punk Act').{{cite web |url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/7978/WAMi-Award-winners-announced.htm?city=3 |title=WAMi Award winners announced |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au |date=22 February 2007 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813100813/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/7978/WAMi-Award-winners-announced.htm?city=3 |archive-date=13 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21268307-5013063,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907200106/http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21268307-5013063,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 September 2012 |title=Karnivool hard rock act to beat |work=Sunday Times|date=21 February 2007 |accessdate=11 July 2008}} The band received a grant from the Department of Culture and Arts (Western Australia) to assist in the production of the second album.{{cite web |url=http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/funding/funding_recipients/recipents/grants/2007/contemporary_music/production/eleventh_he_reaches_london,_salter_point_$13,778 |title=Grant recipients 2007 |publisher=Department of Culture and Arts |accessdate=11 July 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2008 Eleventh He Reaches London released the lead track (on-line), "For the Commonwealth and the Queen", ahead of their second album, Hollow be my Name.{{cite web |url=http://perthmusic.norg.com.au/2007/06/ |title=New Eleventh He Reaches London song |publisher=Perth Music |date=5 June 2007 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719211346/http://perthmusic.norg.com.au/2007/06/ |archivedate=19 July 2008}}

In June that year, bass guitarist McElhinney left the band to pursue a solo project and explore other musical interests. The band signed with Good Cop Bad Cop Records in July 2008, which re-released The Good Fight for Harmony on 16 August 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/14004/Eleventh-He-Reaches-London-Cop-it-Sweet.htm |title=Eleventh He Reaches London Cop it Sweet |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au |date=11 July 2008 |accessdate=11 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820125329/http://fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/14004/Eleventh-He-Reaches-London-Cop-it-Sweet.htm |archive-date=20 August 2008 |url-status=dead }} As a result of delay in the band's second album due to line-up changes (with a February 2009 release date) their new record label released a 7" single, "Girt by Piss", on 25 October 2008. Also in October, the band introduced its replacement for McElhinney, Luke Pollard, and undertook a national tour in support of the new single. The B-side of the single, "Hill of Grace", was nominated for the 2008 WAM Song of the Year competition.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23961782-5017579,00.html |title=Heavy/Rock Metal |work=Perth Now |date=25 September 2008 |accessdate=2 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005213923/http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23961782-5017579,00.html |archivedate=5 October 2008 }}

The band's second album, Hollow Be My Name, was released on 28 March 2009 on Good Cop Bad Cop Records. Thematically, the album is dark and introspective; Martin explained: {{quote|It's about blaming anybody else other than yourself for your own misery. Themes like God, government and father, blaming them for your own problems. There's a definite story in the album. It's not all in order, it's a bit jumbled. It's not necessarily the same protagonist throughout the whole album, but the stories are definitely linked.|Jeremy Martin{{cite web |url=http://www.drumperth.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303024544/http://www.drumperth.com.au/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 March 2007 |title=The Commonwealth and the Scream |publisher=Drum Media |last=Broomhall |first=Tristan |date=2009-03-19 |accessdate=22 March 2009}}}}

In April 2012 the band joined Hobbledehoy Record Co. for vinyl reissues of their previous material.

Their third album, Bānhūs, was released through that label on 4 October 2013.{{cite news | url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/news/28382/EHRL-album-details-and-song/ | title=EHRL album details and song | date=27 August 2013 | publisher=Sputnikmusic | accessdate=29 September 2013 }} The group disbanded in 2016.

• Mark Donaldson – drums (1999–2016)
• Ian Lenton – lead vocals, guitar (1999–2016)
• Alex Lucas – bass guitar (1999–2001)
• Jayden Worts – lead guitar (1999–2016)
• Brad Rowland – bass guitar (2001–03)
• Jeremy Martin – lead guitar (2003–16)
• Craig McElhinney – bass guitar (2003–08)
• Luke Pollard – bass guitar (2008–16)

The WAM Song of the Year was formed by the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association Inc. (WARMIA) in 1985, with its main aim to develop and run annual awards recognising achievements within the music industry in Western Australia.{{cite web|url=http://intersector.wa.gov.au/article_view.php?article_id=350&article_main=24|title=2006 WAM Song of the Year Awards |work=InterSector |publisher=Western Australian State Government |year=2006|accessdate=7 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725092704/http://www.intersector.wa.gov.au/article_view.php?article_id=350&article_main=24|archive-date=25 July 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://wam.org.au/song-of-the-year-award-winners-2013/|title= Song of the Year Award Winners 2013|website=WAM|date=5 February 2013|access-date=15 April 2021}}

{{Awards table}} (wins only)

|-

| 2013

| "Body Unbind"

| Rock Song of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

{{end}}

The West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMIs) are annual awards presented to the local contemporary music industry, put on annually by the Western Australian Music Industry Association Inc (WAM).{{cite web|title=WAMi AWARDS CONGRATULATIONS|url=http://www.wam.asn.au/wamifest06.htm|work=WAMi Festival 2006|publisher=WAMi Festival|access-date=10 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060224070435/http://www.wam.asn.au/wamifest06.htm|archive-date=24 February 2006|year=2006}}[http://www.wam.asn.au/wamifest07.htm 2007 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722182155/http://www.wam.asn.au/wamifest07.htm |date=22 July 2008 }}

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2006

| Eleventh He Reaches London

| Favourite Newcomer

| {{won}}

|-

| 2007

| Eleventh He Reaches London

| Best Hardcore/Punk Act

| {{won}}

|-

| 2010

| Eleventh He Reaches London

| Best Hard Rock / Metal Act

| {{won}}

|-

| 2011

| Eleventh He Reaches London

| Best Hard Rock / Metal Act

| {{won}}

|-

{{end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{allMusic}}
• {{Discogs artist}}
• {{musicbrainz artist|name=Eleventh He Reaches London|id=dbe499e4-c6fd-44c5-8a7f-94d8bf00e8ab}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Australian indie rock groups

Category:Western Australian musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1999

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2016