Post-rock band iLiKETRAiNS is England's answer to the epic sweep of acts like Sigur Rós, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, and Explosions in the Sky. But where many bands in this style either sing in made-up languages, bury their deliberately obscurantist lyrics in a wall of noise, or ignore vocals entirely, iLiKETRAiNS proffers a unique twist on the style. Singer David Martin's lyrics concern the dusty corners of world history, with songs about the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated and the mental breakdown of chess champion Bobby Fischer. Add in the band's penchant for playing gigs in vintage British Rail uniforms while projecting random film loops onto the stage, and a quirky sense of humor becomes evident. iLiKETRAiNS formed in Leeds in 2003 while its members were attending Leeds University. Martin, guitarist and keyboardist Guy Bannister, bassist Alistair Bowis, drummer Simon Fogal, and cornet player Ashley Dean (who's also in charge of the band's visuals, including videos and the aforementioned film loops) played local gigs and recorded several self-released demos before releasing their debut single, "Before the Curtains Close," in April 2005. "A Rook House for Bobby" followed later that year. In 2006, the Fierce Panda label released the single "Terra Nova" and the EP Progress Reform, which included several tracks from the preceding singles. Later in 2006, iLiKETRAiNS signed to the established indie Beggars Banquet. Their first single for the label, "Spencer Perceval," was scheduled for March 2007, with the debut album to follow. Stewart Mason, Rovi
