YOURCODENAMEIS:MILO are an alternative rock/experimental/post-hardcore band from Sunderland/Newcastle, UK.

They were snapped up by Polydor subsidiary Fiction, the band were launched off Stateside to Chicago to record with Steve Albini, the results of which were released as the All Roads to Fault EP. The EP was released in 2004, and Yourcodenameis: Milo played stateside gigs with McClusky and A Static Lullaby around the time of its release. The band also began work on their full-length album with Flood, and contributed a track to a Smiths Tribute Album.

The band began an indefinite hiatus in August 2007.

However, they left behind a small but impressive back catalogue of albums that attracted a cult following, including a collaborative album, Print Is Dead with several of music’s up and coming stars of the time in 2006.

Including Tom Vek, Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly, The Futureheads, Field Music, Reuben, The Automatic, Martin Grech, Hot Club De Paris, Maxïmo Park, Lethal Bizzle, Bloc Party and ULTRA BRAiN.

They are best known for their debut 2004 mini album All Roads To Fault, which was soon followed in 2005 by the album Ignoto, both on Fiction / Polydor Records. In 2006 the band left their Polydor contract and within a month signed a new record deal with V2 Records.

The band’s second full-length album, They Came From The Sun, was released on 2 April 2007.

The albums are still available on 7digital.com & iTunes.

Print is Dead Vol 1

On 6 November 2006 the band released their first side project album, entitled Print Is Dead Vol 1. The album features Youcodenameis:Milo collaborating with numerous other bands, including Tom Vek, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly,The Futureheads, Field Music, Reuben, The Automatic, Martin Grech, Hot Club De Paris, Maxïmo Park, Lethal Bizzle and Bloc Party. Print Is Dead was recorded in between sessions for Yourcodenameis:milo’s forthcoming second album and during their trip to play shows in New Delhi, India. The album was written, recorded, and mixed at the band’s own studio under the arches of Byker Bridge and affectionately named Like A Cat, Like A Fox, after the original title for their debut album.

On 16 January 2006 the band announced that drummer Paul Gamble-Beresford had left under amicable circumstances, and was to be replaced by Shaun Abbott.

They Came From the Sun

The band released their second full-length studio album, They Came from the Sun, on 2 April 2007. They have also set up their own General Recordings imprint through V2 and begun work on more recordings for Print Is Dead Volume II, in addition to a number of Eno-inspired ambient works which may one day be released.

Justin Lockey was absent during all live performances for the band’s UK tours in 2007, due to a shoulder injury.

Hiatus

The band split announced their decision to go on an indefinite hiatus on 21 August 2007. In a statement they declared:

“

After 5 years and 4 wicked cool records, we have decided to put Yourcodenameis:milo on an indefinate [sic] hiatus.

”

On 19 October 2007 it was reported by Rock Sound that front-man Paul Mullen would be the new addition to the band The Automatic, not necessarily replacing keyboardist Alex Pennie but taking on the role of rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and occasional keyboardist.

On 26 November 2007, guitarist Justin Lockey’s new band British Expeditionary Force released their debut album Chapter One: A Long Way From Home, to critical acclaim.

Drummer Shaun Abbott is currently a member of the Newcastle band Knuckle Dragger, Adam Hiles plays guitar with The Eye Jab, now Mammal Club. Ross Harley is in the process of writing material with Tomahawks For Targets.

Style and influences

Yourcodenameis:milo’s style has been influenced by earlier post-hardcore/progressive bands, especially Cave In, Shellac, Fugazi and At the Drive-In. Themes such as space/sci-fi dominate their sound and elements, such as track titles and artwork, are often quirky and in-line with a very specific motif the band have created for themselves.

Members [edit]

• Paul Mullen - Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer
• Adam Hiles - Guitar
• Justin Lockey - Guitar
• Ross Harley - Bass guitar
• Shaun Abbott - Drums, Percussion

Former members [edit]

• Paul ‘Bez’ Gamble-Beresford - Drums, Percussion (2002–2006)

Discography [edit]