South East London’s Bugeye are set to release their debut album ‘Ready Steady Bang’ on July 10th. Produced by Paul Tipler (Idlewild/Elastica/Placebo), it will be available via Reckless Yes.
After their line-up changes and signing to Reckless Yes, their quality levels soared. They began taking risks in the studio with Tipler and, they went from a band who worth a trip to Camden to, one with an eagerly anticipated album.
Staying true to themselves, their archetypal sound remains the bedrock of this album. Former single ‘Don’t Stop’ takes the fury of The Pixies and the pop of Blondie on what is, the definition of a sexy as fuck record. ‘Breakdown’ and ‘Shake and Bake’ both open with the warped seaside synths of The Horrors’ ‘Primary Colours’ before descending into a tale of debauchery. Meanwhile, ‘Blue Fire’ collides the funk of Chic with the dirty garage rock of The Strokes
Despite the musical influences of the US flooding this record, there is something quintessentially English at play. Cynical and dark relationships with booze and partners are often at play. ‘When The Lights Go Out’ launches you into the middle of a tale of alcohol torment via Supergrass circa ‘Life On Other Planets’. ‘Nightlife’ is an unreleased Blur gem that swirls in the haze of weekend escape.
On ‘Sunday Monday’, they have added themselves to London’s pantheon of socially observant writers. The wit of Albarn, the integrity of Weller, and the effortless cool of Frischmann are all present on this instant classic.
Often, debut albums are a myriad of influences and a sign of what is to come. Bugeye though, having been touring places like the Astoria since 1999. Despite the long hiatus, they have hit an undeniable groove that DM’s are begging to stomp along to.