Tom Woodhead (vocals/synth), Rob Canning (bass), Katie Nicholls (drums), and Whiskas (guitar) create the angst-ridden post-punk-inspired sound of ˇForward, Russia! Formerly of Black Helicopters, Canning and Woodhead joined siblings Nicholls and Whiskas in their native Leeds, England, in 2004 to form the indie rock quartet and their own label, Dance to the Radio. ˇForward, Russia! toured the U.K. incessantly during their first year together while also issuing their debut, a split single with This Et Al in spring 2005. "Nine" sold out in just one week and BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq immediately hyped ˇForward, Russia!'s frantic energy on his 6 Music station. "Thirteen/Fourteen" followed in August and did equally well, but ˇForward, Russia! landed in the U.K. Top 40 with "Twelve" and the "Nine" reissue in early 2006. That spring, ˇForward, Russia! joined the Automatic, the Long Blondes, Howling Bells, and Boy Kill Boy for the NME New Music Tour. Give Me a Wall marked their LP debut in May; its stateside release for Mute arrived in September. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide