Comrades have been rejoicing in
anticipation of the release of ‘Who R Ya?’ It’s been a busy week that seems
like a blur. It all kicked off with the single launch party at the
Alleycat on gentrified Denmark Street on Tuesday. Anyone who knows us,
knows our views on the sicken process of slowly forcing residents from cities out, in place of luxury properties, fancy restaurants and shopping centers etc. Thus,
there couldn't have been a more fitting place for us to play than Denmark Street;
a road in the heart of London's West-End, filled with studios, venues and shops
selling instruments for the most well-known musicians to those kick-starting
their way to stardom. The street has seen the likes of Hendrix, The Stones and
The Sex Pistols record and play, so replacing it with a five star hotel (as our inside sources have told us), is outrageous.
Funnily enough, the demo for our anthem
against the establishment led process, called ‘Gentrification’, which we
recorded down at Universal a few months back, has been made Radio X’s ‘This Feeling Track of the
Week’ and was played by Phil Clifton last Wednesday. It’s also been championed
by the Music Venue Trust, who are currently arranging a big event at The
Roundhouse in Camden next month. Find out more and support their cause here
(they’re doing some great work in supporting music venues across the country):
So,
back to Tuesday night… the Alleycat was absolutely rammo and as we popped our
heads 'round the door to catch support act The Pearl Harts. The Pearl Harts are great… two girls. One guitar. One drummer. They
make a lot of noise and have some killer songs under their sleeves. They got
the crowd moshing early doors. As we saw people pile their way from the street
to the venue after an interval, we soon hit the stage. It was a mad affair and at times the band and crowd blended and crowd members ending up on stage and band
members in the crowd. To be honest, it’s all a bit of a blur now but the new
single went down particularly well. We threw in a couple of new tunes too… ‘Queen’s
English’, a pop at the monarchy and aristocrats and ‘Famous for Nothing’, which
does exactly what it says on the tin. The party went on ‘til God knows when and
it was a great night all 'round.
There’s
no rest for the wicked, as it was down to Waterloo for ‘Big’ Bob Morris’ Mod
Exhibition on Wednesday, with great photos from Bob’s Mod days, dancing and
music. Met the legendary Gary Crowley, who’s been a massive champion of the
band, having given us a big platform on BBC Radio London, so that was an
honour.
The
party then continued at The Amersham Arms in New Cross on Thursday. The night
was called #Jam4Jez, a ‘Momentum’ organised event in support of Jeremy Corbyn’s
Labour leadership campaign. There was a great, friendly vibe at the event.
Dedicating ‘A Wise Man Said’ to Jezza and ‘Who R Ya?’ to Owen Smith seemed to
go down well! Found out a few days later, our mate Jane had been 'purged' from the Labour Party, supposedly for sharing a photo of the 'Fuck the Tories/Love Sisteray' flag. Jane's honestly one of the most down-to-earth and active members of the Labour Party, going door-to-door, campaigning for the party; proving how utterly-ridiculous and undemocratic this exercise the NEC are undertaking is!
We’re
keeping the activism going this Wednesday (21/09), as we are playing an event
at The Water Rats in Kings Cross for ‘Musicians Against Homelessness’ in aid of
‘Crisis’. It’s a great cause, kick started by Creation Records founder Alan
McGee, with all profits going towards supporting the homeless. On the bill are the
outstanding Bang Bang Romeo; great friends of ours who are amazing live; as well
as Burnz, Ben Denny Mo and This Feeling DJ’s spinning the top tunes around (as
they always do!).
The
next ‘Welcome to the Monkey House’ show is this Friday (23/09) and it’s also in
support of ‘Musicians Against Homelessness’. Heading the bill are the stunning
LOCK, who release their debut EP ‘Everlasting Road’ on the same night. Also on
the bill are good mates MOSES and Lighthouse with yours truly on the decks.
Again, it’s a great cause, so show your support!
'Who R Ya?' was released last Friday on 1-2-3-4 Records (16/09). The music video is one of the best things we've ever done... filmed and directed by the genius that is Albert Jagger. Check it out...
