Stateless was an English electronic band based in Leeds and London. The group most recently comprised Chris James, kidkanevil, Justin Percival and David Levin (drums).
members: Jon Taylor, David Levin, Rod Buchanan-Dunlop, Justin Percival, Chris James, Gerard Roberts
formed in: Leeds
labels: Ninja Tune
genres: alternative rock, indie rock
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Stateless met in Leeds in 2002. Chris James, James Sturdy, and Jon Taylor had played in rock bands together for several years. When realising this more traditional style did not offer them the musical challenge they were looking for, they began to expand their musical tastes and influences to more sample based electronica and hip hop. For a while they ruled out the use of guitars when writing, trying to take their sound into a new direction. The interest in hip hop brought in DJ kidkanevil, who they heard at a hip hop club night in Leeds. James met Rod Buchanan-Dunlop, a Scot, at Leeds Metropolitan University on the first day of their Creative Music and Sound Technology course in the Leeds Met School of Technology. Buchanan-Dunlop then...
Stateless musical style is often described as a cross between Radiohead and DJ Shadow, and is reminiscent of bands such as Portishead, Coldplay, UNKLE and Massive Attack. Growing up, they were influenced by the Britpop movement and various guitar-oriented bands. Coming from a more traditional rock background, Stateless became heavily influenced by electronic, dance, hip hop and trip hop music. It was planned from the start not to be a guitar oriented band. They transitioned from playing guitars to incorporating turntables and samplers as instruments in a traditional band setup along with conventional instruments like keyboards, bass guitar and drums to create their sound.