The Dharma

The Dharma were an indie electro band from Leeds. UK. Influenced by bands ranging from The Beatles to Franz Ferdinand. Formed in 2002, the band was composed of Paul Houlihan (Guitar+Vocals), JB John Butler (Bass+Vocals), Jon Thornton (Drums+Vocals). The band split up and are of limited interest to anyone outside their immediate family.
History
Formation and early years (2002-Present)
Paul Houlihan originally from Ireland was brought up in East End Park in Leeds and served with the British Army in Afghanistan. Jonathan (Alan) Thornton originally from London studied at the Royal College of Music and had previously played with Leeds bands The Stays, 45 Revolutions and singer songwriter Hollie Jowitt. John (Brian) Butler, related to Dave Best from Leeds band The Pigeon Detectives had been involved in music from an early age, originally playing guitar in previous bands.
Paul Houlihan and John Brian Butler began playing together around the age of 18, with the band originally being called Voodoo Rush. Later changing to The Dharma in 2003.
In 2006 the band signed to Yorkshire label 'Imagination Records', set up by Pauls brother Alan Otley who owned a million pound car franchise. Recording singles at Abbey Road studios, various singles were released. 'Can You Rely on Them' got into the top 20 of the UK Indie Charts and put the band onto the map as a rising band to watch. The band purchased a bus and the UK touring began. They started running their own night at Leeds venue The Cockpit, putting bands on throughout the UK once a week and meeting different bands and artists which went on to be a successful weekly event.
In 2007 The band appeared at the 02 Wireless Festival on the main stage and at the Millennium Dome (now o2 Arena)as part of a national tour where they played over 250+ gigs throughout the UK, which raised the profile of the band dramatically and put them on the map as being a recognized band to watch out for. In November the band parted from their label and they began working independently with Record Producer Will Jackson of Soundworks Studios. They formed a special relationship and he went onto producing their hit E.P 'I Dance Like This'.
In 2008 The band spent most of the year touring and playing various festivals throughout the UK. In the Leeds area they were one of the headlining bands at the Chapel Allerton Festival and at The Garforth Arts Festival, where Richard Hawley headlined the event. The band wanted to develop their sound adding more of an electrical dance feel. They made several appearances together and the line up was complete.
After releasing the mini album 'I Dance Like This' on 8 May their single I'm on Fire charted at number 10 in the UK independent charts, receiving airplay on radio 1.
In 2009 on 6 February they headlined a show at Leeds Cockpit which went onto being filmed by channel 4 - which is available to view online. The show was sold out leading them to being the first un-signed band to sell out the venue. Shortly after the show they met with Iain Williamson who took the band under his wing. Iain has managed bands such as Yeasayer, Clinic and Roots Manova. He got the band working with The Select Booking agency who booked them onto an initial 14 date UK tour including dates at London's WandsWorth palace, supporting Beyonce's backing band. They made an appearance at 'Live at Leeds' on the Leeds University Stage opening the main event with the International Trust.
The band quickly moved on and admitted they worked better as a 3 piece.
Towards the end of the year the band appeared with such acts including The Sunshine Underground, Cage the Elephant, The Maccabees and The Bluetones.
In 2010 the band spent most of the spring in the studio working on their next release. At this point in the bands career their direction changed down a more electronic route, experimenting with new sounds and equipment. After releasing their next album 'Waiting for the Weekend' which featured in the NME's 'listen to tracks of the week' they also appeared in the NME special 50th anniversary.
After much popular demand the band booked their next major homecoming Leeds show at the Cockpit on 9 October after their UK/European tour. The cockpit soon sold out due to the bands popularity and the show was upgraded to the Leeds University (Stylus). The band were supported by Fierce Panda's 'The Ruling Class' and Leeds Commonside.
After the University show the band decided to take time out and focus on their next release and plans to take the band to London were in place. However in December 2009 The Dharma announced the breakup of the band.
Paul Houlihan and John Butler have gone on to form a new project 'Remember the Hurricanes.' Jon Thornton is actively working on new projects around Leeds.
Reviews
Last FM
"I Dance Like This" is the debut album from Leeds-based band The Dharma. Although this mini-album only consists of six songs it is enough to give a strong feel for the band's punchy, energetic indie style. After a first listen, the songs may feel slightly forgettable but it won't be long before the catchy beats take hold and the lyrics "I'm on fire, I'm on fire" are implanted into your brain. This sound, combined with lyrics of everyday life and nights out ("I stole your heart on Saturday night...") will draw comparisons with similar bands of today such as the Pigeon Detectives; however, with The Dharma, you feel you are getting something more authentic. If it's a slice of genuine, upbeat indie you're after, this is it
Arctic Reviews
Cue The Dharma, a bunch of hometown chips of t'old block who on the strength of I Dance Like This are just what the rebellion-is-a-haircut "scene" needs to wrestle the initiative back from all the eighties-chiseling scenesters around us. Wisely they've gone back to basics, recognising that the simple recipe for success here is splicing the energy of punk with new wave's short arm chops, then throwing in a dash of The Kinks Merrie Olde sixties pop for good measure. Suitably informed, opener Yes, I Play Guitar attaches electrodes to the leathery corpse of The La's, giving never-ending thrills via a chorus made for screaming on little dancefloors surrounded by steamed up mirrors. Whether they've ever heard of any of the bands they sound like they're influenced by - Passwords is the best song We Are Scientists never wrote, You Call Me feels like The Killers covering The Wedding Present - there's no doubting the instant pedigree that I Dance Like This gives my favourite new best band. And I reckon that's worth having beer spilled on your shoes for.
Dalliance
I have never seen a turn out like this for an unsigned local band. Being elbowed in the head by a 16 yeah old girl during the trance strobe intro did not damage my excitement. The band really looked like they belonged on the big stage. No skinny jeans to be seen.
The Electric Circus
They've got a shedload of the sort of perfectly formed tunes that you find yourself trying to sing along to even though you don't know them, and get everyone set off in a good mood
Leeds Music Scene
Leeds' own The Dharma display a buried love of Freedom Rock on this 3 track demo, that's big choruses, hands in the air and the wind in your hair. It's buried under a slightly more acceptable sound but usually around the chorus it can't help but stick its neck out and grin. There's nothing bad about this, it probably feels great playing it live, legs apart and a knowing head nod back and forth.
Of the 3 tracks on offer one stands head and shoulders above the rest, "The Forgotten" is a Feeder-esque swell with the big hook chorus and romping play-out. A "set ender" as its known in the business, the one friends and family no doubt immediately identify with the post gig band to say "I loved that one you did at the end". "Eight Mile Queue" promises so much in its "We don't give a f**k" intro of cool drums and snotty feedback but the watering mouth dries up pretty quickly with the rather standard riff driven rock adorned with a Led Zep vocal that follows. In fact it's worth mentioning Paul Houlihan's vocal style which flips between the afore mention Led Zep wail, to a relaxed and pleasant on the ear gravelled rock style for "Eight Mile Queue" before turning into something rather nasal and unpleasant for closer "Science Fiction".
Notes and references
<references/>

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu