''Drill'' is the debut EP by the English rock band

Radiohead Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon-on-Thames, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band members are Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); brothers Jonny Greenwood (guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Gre ...

, released in May 1992. It was Radiohead's first commercial release, and attracted little attention, reaching 101 on the UK singles chart. Radiohead rerecorded three ''Drill'' songs for their debut album, '' Pablo Honey'' (1993).

Background

The members of Radiohead met while attending

Abingdon School Abingdon School is an independent day and boarding school in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. It is the List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom, twentieth oldest Independent School (UK), independent British school. In May 202 ...

, an independent school for boys in Abingdon, England. In 1985, they formed , the name referring to their usual rehearsal day in the school's music room. They recorded demos including the ''Manic Hedgehog'' tape, named after a record shop in Oxford. In late 1991, Radiohead signed a six-album recording contract with

EMI EMI Group Limited (formerly EMI Group plc until 2007; originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At t ...

and changed their name at EMI's request. "Radiohead" was taken from the song "Radio Head" on the

Talking Heads Talking Heads were an American Rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1975.Talking Heads

album '' True Stories'' (1986).

Recording

Radiohead recorded ''Drill'' at Courtyard Studios in

Oxon Oxon may refer to: * An abbreviation for the English city of Oxford, or the English county of Oxfordshire, or the University of Oxford (from ''Oxonia'', Latin for Oxford) * The post-nominal suffix indicating a degree from the University of Oxford ...

, England. It was produced by Radiohead's co-manager, Chris Hufford. Hufford said this was a mistake, as it created a conflict of interest and generated friction in the studio. ''Drill'' featured two new recordings, "Prove Yourself" and "Stupid Car"; the other songs were taken from Radiohead's ''Manic Hedgehog'' demo.

Release

''Drill'' was released on 5 May 1992. It reached number 101 on the UK singles chart. The ''

Guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unit ...

'' described it as an "inauspicious start" that was "largely ignored". Radiohead toured with Catherine Wheel and the Sultans of Ping in support of ''Drill''. "Prove Yourself" was played on

BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...

Gary Davies Gary Davies (born 13 December 1957) is a British broadcaster. From 1982 to 1993 he was a BBC Radio 1 disc jockey and a regular presenter of ''Top of the Pops''. As of 2025, Davies can be heard on BBC Radio 2 presenting Saturday night show ' ...

, Radiohead's first national radio exposure in the UK. In 1995, ''

Record Collector ''Record Collector'' is a British monthly music magazine focussing on rare and collectable records, and the bands who recorded them. It was founded in September 1979 and distributes worldwide. It is promoted as "the world’s leading authority o ...

'' described ''Drill'' as "abrasive and melancholic by turns", with "the first in a long history of nihilistic one-liners that suggested Thom's worldview was one of genuine self-loathing rather than bathetic self-pity". The music journalist Mac Randall wrote later: "Even as early as 1992, Thom Yorke's graceful, arrestingly plaintive vocal style was well developed, far more so than the band's songwriting or overall sound." Radiohead rerecorded "You", "Prove Yourself" and "Thinking About You" for their debut album, '' Pablo Honey'' (1993). Capitol reissued ''Drill'' on vinyl in April 2009. It was added to streaming services in January 2020.

Track listing

Personnel

Credits taken from the ''Drill'' credits. *

Thom Yorke Thomas Edward Yorke (born 7 October 1968) is an English musician who is the vocalist and main songwriter of the rock band Radiohead. He plays guitar, bass, keyboards and other instruments, and is noted for his falsetto. ''Rolling Stone'' desc ...

– vocals, guitar *

Jonny Greenwood Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood (born 5 November 1971) is an English musician. He is the lead guitarist and keyboardist of the rock band Radiohead, and has composed numerous film scores. He has been named one of the greatest guitarists by numer ...

– guitar *

Ed O'Brien Edward John O'Brien (born 15 April 1968) is an English guitarist, songwriter, and member of the rock band Radiohead. He releases solo music under the name EOB. O'Brien attended Abingdon School in Oxfordshire, England, where he formed Radiohead ...

– guitar, backing vocals *

Colin Greenwood Colin Charles Greenwood (born 26 June 1969) is an English bassist and a member of the rock band Radiohead. Along with bass guitar, Greenwood plays Double bass, upright bass and Electronic musical instrument, electronic instruments. With his y ...

– bass guitar * Philip Selway – drums *Chris Hufford — production and engineering *Timm Baldwin — mixing

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drill (Ep) 1992 debut EPs Radiohead EPs Parlophone EPs