A BAND that originated in Kendal have removed the word ‘British’ from their title amid concerns that their old name felt ‘constricting’ and ‘like an ancient legacy’.

Sea Power, formerly known as British Sea Power, said their original name when they formed 20 years ago was intended to be taken with a ‘kind of wry humour’ as Britain no longer ruled the waves.

“In recent times there’s been a rise in a certain kind of nationalism in this world – an isolationist, antagonistic nationalism that we don’t want to run any risk of being confused with,” said a spokesman for the alternative rock band.

“It’s become apparent that it’s possible to misapprehend the name British Sea Power, particularly if someone isn’t familiar with the band or their recordings.

“We’ve always been internationalist in our mindset, something made clear in songs like Waving Flags, an anthem to pan-European idealism.

“We always wanted to be an internationalist band, but maybe having a specific nation state in our name wasn’t the cleverest way to demonstrate that.

“We very much hope the band’s audience won’t be affronted by this adjustment to the name.”

The spokesman stressed that the decision to remove the word ‘British’ did not indicate ‘any aversion to the British Isles whatsoever’.