Grand Theft Audio

The lineup of Grand Theft Audio features Jay Butler on vocals, Chris McCormack on guitar, Ralph Jezzard on bass and keyboards, and Ritch Battersby on drums. United by personal ties and fragments of earlier projects, this London quartet drew McCormack from his role as guitarist in 3 Colours Red while Jezzard and Battersby had previously collaborated in the Wildhearts. The group reshapes alternative rock into a fierce blend of punk metal drive and engulfing electronic hip-hop textures. Their gripping style has drawn parallels with the Sex Pistols, AC/DC, and Prodigy. September 2000 saw the release of their debut album, Blame Everyone.