Birkenshaw, West Yorkshire native Rich Mitchell first began learning his trade whilst drumming along to the Ramones Rocket To Russia album at the age of five. After a couple of years taking drum lessons, he discovered that playing to Nirvana's In Utero and The Velvet Underground was a more enjoyable way to hone his craft, so threw out theory in favour of what he would later call 'real' practice.



At the age of fourteen Rich Mitchell made his recording debut with avant-garde pop noisesters Summum Bonum, who released their debut album David Donson on Freek Records; a relative of seminal Kiwi label Flying Nun.



Following the demise of Summum Bonum, along with brother Nick, Rich Mitchell went on to briefly play in experimental post-punk outfit outfit I Had An Inkling - which saw a change in drumming style - taking him away from playing 'pedestrian rock rhythms' and instead developing a 'more syncopated, falling-down-the-stairs kind of vibe'.



Rich drummed with Sunnum Bonum and Dogs (2004–2008).



After moving to what is now his home city of London, Rich Mitchell joined Chapel Club. Says Rich: "Being creative on the drums as well as being involved with other creative aspects of a band is one of the most important thing to me - especially in the context of a band who's integrity and musical output I have complete faith in".



Rich Mitchell cites his main drumming influences as Moe Tucker ("I'd take Moe Tucker over Stewart Copeland any day" ), Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs ("I love the way he manages to play these completely f**ked up jazz rhythms in a rock band and make it sound like it's the most natural thing in the world" ) and Steve White ("Generally I'm not a huge fan of schooled rock drummers. However, Steve's playing has so much character to it. The second you hear a Steve White rhythm you know it's him playing" ).



Rich Mitchell and Chapel Club released their debut album Palace on the 31st January 2011.