Difficult times call for direct action, and never having been a band to shirk their responsibilities Brighton ska/punks The Bar Stool Preachers have decided to use the current lockdown situation we find ourselves in here in the UK to not only lift the spirits of their fans via a couple of completely new (and FREE) songs but also seize the opportunity to help raise some money for healthcare workers here in the UK.

To be honest, I’d actually have been a little disappointed if the Preachers hadn’t jumped at the opportunity to try and help out during this ever-developing crisis, and it certainly never hurt anyone to have a social conscience. So, whilst they maybe can’t help the frontline directly if releasing some new music can help in any way then I salute the guys for having the minerals to stand up and be counted.

Of course, the Preachers will always look to do something a little differently and that’s why along with making these new songs FREE to download from their website from April 24^th over the past couple of weeks they’ve also been busily piecing together a video for the lead track (the prophetically entitled) ‘When This World Ends’ that is set to feature their fans and friends from all over the world delivering their own particular take on the song’s rather poignant lyrics, something that will be sure put a much-needed smile on all our faces too.

The song itself (which has been slightly tweaked lyrically since I first heard it as ‘At The World’s End’) is a mid-tempo anthem with a huge commercial hook-driven but gang backing vocals that should have us all screaming along when we are finally able to go back to attending gigs once again. Speaking of which ‘State Of Emergency’ – the other FREE track available – is something of a live favourite with Bar Stool Preachers fans already. A blaring siren providing the perfect introduction to a tune that is easily one of the best songs that Tom and the lads have written to date.

Perhaps the single most exciting thing I can take away from hearing these tracks is that whilst the rough demos I got to briefly hear a few months back had all the early indicators that album number three would be the band’s best yet, these Jake Rousham engineered versions have taken those songs to an all new level completely, and I seriously cannot wait to hear what they will do with the likes of ‘Love The Love’ and ‘Late Night Transmission’ which were both played on the band’s recent UK tour and which rather ominously might also have been my last gig of 2020.

Look, if you are feeling a little stir crazy at the moment and are looking to get some positivity back in your life then you won’t go far wrong checking out the action Here because that’s where you’ll find the real ‘Soundtrack To Your Apocalypse’.

Author: Johnny Hayward