Argh Kid ft Isaac Taylor – Dickhead DNA

Manchester’s Argh Kid, in the wake of the descent of the far right on London, wrote and recorded ‘Dickhead DNA’ in three days. Accompanied by Isaac Taylor, ‘Dickhead DNA’ is available on Bandcamp, alongside a powerful freestyled spoken piece about George Floyd and Argh Kid’s lived experiences in Manchester.

Vocally nestling in alongside Jason Williamson, Tom Meighan, and Preston Samuel circa ‘Brassbound’, this polemic offers up Specials-esque dub and spiky basslines from Arctic Monkeys debut. It culminates in all the great sounds of Britain’s counter-culture standing up for what’s right.

Unsurprisingly, the lyrics take aim at the Trump-supporting, sieg heiling all lives matters delinquents who equate patriotism to far-right nationalism. Undoubtedly, humanity needs bringing together right now but lines in the sand must be drawn and Britain First types shall not cross Argh Kid’s.

*Image courtesy of Rocklands

Argh Kid – Riot

Manchester’s Argh Kid has been one of the shining breakthroughs in 2019. Less than a week after they released their debut EP ‘Derelict Dreams’, he returned with the explosive single ‘Riot’.

The raw power of Public Enemy combines with the Beastie Boys outlaw instincts to provide well timed assassination of government. As the visceral production takes hold, just consider, in 2 months, an unelected leader has lost 6 votes, 2 court cases, stated no custom checks in NI, stated there will be custom checks in NI, sacked members of his party, and dithered on about Jason Donovan. What a time to be alive!

Thankfully, leadership comes in many forms. UK spoken word artist Dave Scott (aka Argh Kid) has stepped up to the plate. His distinctive Mancunian vocals adopt venom of Jason Williamson and aggro yet melodic tones of Tom Meighan circa ‘Club Foot’.

Meanwhile, all around him a bassline throbs to echo down the ages. The guttural hook is soul shaking and, as Scott decrees “don’t believe the shite”, a breed of patriotism you can be proud of emerges. Not the bloated lunch on expenses, Churchill wannabee guff of Mark Francois!

Put simply UK Hip Hop hasn’t felt this vital since the early work of Kano and Dizzee Rascal. It’s pure, its violent and it’s working class intelligence from the gut!

Argh Kid - Derelict Dreams

Manchester's Argh Kid set 2019 alight with former single 'Neighbours'. Now, spoken word artist Dave Scott is back with a new EP ‘Derelict Dreams’. Recorded at Editors' Justin Lockey's studio, Scott, backed with a band, attempts to build upon his razor sharp wit and social comment.

Whilst Scott's words are the star of the show, his band are serving up something almost as special. ‘Tearaways' combines the languid style Loyle Carner with Get Cape Wear Cape Fly’s warming brass circa ‘Teenage Chronicles…’. It allows Scott to conjure a murky North West landscape sound tracked to Scorsese’s vision in Taxi Driver. Meanwhile, on ‘Reunion’, they pay homage to Membranes legend John Robb via destructive bass playing.

Lyrically, across both these songs, Scott's reputation continues to rise, rapidly. ‘Tearaways’ paints pictures of dimly lit parks, fights, cider, and drug, something teenagers, generation after generation can relate to.

'Reunion', a brutal analysis of an abusive father (“Was it the left or the right when you kicked her goodnight”) is a haunting and righteous reliving of teenage pain.

Then there is 'Beige'. Musically, it again shows of another side, bringing in Celtic folk influences. Scott's lifelong battle against isolation and social attitudes that will move you to tears. Teachers setting a path for impressionable young minds to “other” him is a crushing but, the spirit and, the loving endeavour to search for belonging is heart-warming.

In a time where vultures sit at the head table, Scott shines a light on the only route through this quagmire. The difficult pathway, the one where society and the individual show willing to learn and understand other cultures not “send them home” or bully in articles (“bankrobbers” & “letterboxes”).

To say this is a step up from their previous singles is harsh, 'Frank' and 'Neighbours' are top draw. Nevertheless, a step up this is!