Basement are an English rock band from Ipswich, Suffolk, whose blend of emo, punk, and 90s-inspired alt-rock helped redefine a generation of guitar music.
Formed in the late 2000s, the band first made waves with their debut, I Wish I Could Stay Here (2011), but it was their ambitious follow-up, Colourmeinkindness (2012), that cemented their legacy.
Written and recorded under chaotic, last-minute conditions on the U.S. West Coast, Colourmeinkindness showcased a darker, grungier evolution of Basement’s sound—drawing influence from bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Pixies, and Catherine Wheel. Its emotional depth and widescreen production bridged the gap between emo’s intimacy and the heft of ‘90s alt-rock.
Despite announcing a hiatus shortly before the album’s release, Colourmeinkindness became a cult classic, inspiring a wave of bands that revived alternative rock and emo for a new generation. When Basement returned from their break, they found a thriving scene partly shaped by the sound they’d helped pioneer.