The Crimea were a British indie group formed in 2002 in Camden, London, led by vocalist Davey MacManus, with drummer Owen Hopkin and bassist Joe Udwin as core members; MacManus had previously performed with The Crocetts from 1996 to 2001. Their early breakthrough came in 2002 when the single "Lottery Winners on Acid" received extensive airplay on BBC Radio 1, entered the UK Singles Chart at number 31 in 2006, and earned a spot on Top of the Pop, while the album Lottery Winners On Acid (2002) showcased their “mini‑epic” style. The band released their debut album Tragedy Rocks in 2004, self‑released and later reissued by Warner Bros. Records in 2005, followed by the free‑download album Secrets Of The Witching Hour in 2007, which attracted press attention for its novel distribution method; the single "Loop a Loop" was later featured in a Trident Gum television advert. After departing Warner Bros. in 2006, the group continued to self‑release material, culminating in the double album Square Moon (2013) on Alcopop and Lazy Acre Records. The Crimea disbanded on 2 July 2013, with their final performance at London’s Jazz Café on 30 July 2013, marking the end of an 11‑year career that included tours with Regina Spektor, Billy Corgan, and Kings of Leon.
