“We Are The People” was written by Lou Reed in 1970. Could’ve been written yesterday. This is a very moving, emotionally charged Iggy version.
For the last two years, The Lovely Eggs have sat back and watched England and the rest of the planet slowly eat itself. Their new album ‘I am Moron’ is the result of their observations, a relentless analysis of a modern culture that is bringing the world to its knees.
‘This Decision’ is the first taste of that new album – an outright attack on greed and mindless consumerism and a fierce defence of a no-frills lifestyle they have chosen to pursue. ‘This Decision’ goes further than capturing the zeitgeist of Brexit Britain. It’s about choice and the lack of choice in society. This decision is all mine. Is it?
Today we get to see the video for ‘This Decision’, a song that has already been supported on the airwaves by broadcasters of fine taste such as Iggy Pop, Marc Riley, Steve Lamacq, Chris Hawkins, Tom Robinson and John Kennedy at Radio X and the swirling, cacophony of images and psychedelic psychosis resonating from the video perfectly represent the song’s seething two-minute-and-fifty-seconds of rage.
“For the video we wanted something with the pedal to the frigging floor,” explains frontwoman Holly Ross. “The track is pretty intense so we wanted something to match that and to take a pop at the moronic relentless capitalist culture that we’re surrounded by these days.”
‘I am Moron’ is the follow up to their critically acclaimed 2017 album ‘This is Eggland’. It is their second album co-produced and mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, MGMT, Tame Impala) and continues their journey through Eggland into the unknown.
Throughout their 13-year career, The Lovely Eggs have embraced isolation. Both metaphorically and geographically the married couple have chosen to shun the social conventions of normal life and dedicated their band and their life to the pursuit of what feels right.
Operating out of their hometown of Lancaster, The Lovely Eggs are lonely pioneers and self-confessed kings of idiocy. Working in an industry whose currency is money, success and nepotism, The Lovely Eggs want none of it. They call out everything fake and plastic about the music industry and demand you to re-evaluate on their terms.
They’re undoubtedly the most real band in Britain, operating in a world when true authenticity is hard to find. They have also spent more time on hold to the Working Tax credit hotline than any other band on the planet.
‘I Am Moron’ was self recorded by the band in Lancaster (“The Twin Peaks of Northern England”) between Lancaster Musicians Co-op and their home. During the recording, Lancaster Musicians Co-op was threatened with closure, so the band put their album on hold to fight the eviction.
While the band were writing the album, they became fascinated by the Mars One program- a global project which aims to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Applicants are offered a one-way ticket- never to see earth again. This fascinated Holly and David who drew parallels between this mission and their own isolation as a band.
Continuing the heaviness of ‘This is Eggland’. ‘I am Moron’ brings more depth to their sound bringing with it a mix of heavy psych, pop and strangeness. Some songs flicker between an earthly realism and the otherworldly loneliness of a one-way space mission. While in contrast, ‘Insect Repellent’ launches a gonzo-style attack against the middle classes and Bearpit questions the essence of working-class freedom.
With no booking agent, manager, record label or publisher The Lovely Eggs are truly independent. And this isn’t due to economics. This is by design. From day one. And support for them is snowballing. They are selling out bigger and bigger venues and more eggheads are joining them in their crusade against bullshit.
Their songs have been produced by Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), remixed by Tjinder Singh (Cornershop) and sampled by Zane Lowe for Scroobius Pip. With releases in the UK, Europe, USA and Japan, The Lovely Eggs have played hundreds of gigs around the UK, USA and Europe.
Released on limited edition 7” vinyl and accompanied by mind melting artwork designed by Casey Raymond, This Decision is a powerful harsh hit at reality. The Lovely Eggs say it how it is. They’ve never been afraid to swim against the current and now they’ve got an army of fans behind them.
Welcome to their world. This Is Eggland!
Catch The Lovely Eggs live in April 2020 for the ‘I am Moron’ UK album tour:
April 2020
Thur 9 The Cluny, Newcastle
Fri 10 The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds *SOLD OUT*
Sat 11 The Castle and Falcon, Birmingham
Sun 12 The Bullingdon, Oxford
Mon 13 The Fleece, Bristol
Tues 14 The Loft, Southampton
Wed 15 The Portland Arms, Cambridge *SOLD OUT*
Thur 16 Komedia, Brighton
Fri 17 The Garage, London
Sat 18 Gorilla, Manchester *SOLD OUT*
May 2020
Fri 1 The Mash House, Edinburgh
Sat 2 CCA, Glasgow
Tickets available HERE:
Order the This Decision single HERE:
Physical pre-order link HERE:
Find The Lovely Eggs online at:
Until recently you’d have thought punk rock was invented by Malcolm McLaren and Bernie Rhodes and that’s about it nobody else was involved and the history books also tend to gloss over the real nuts and bolts and the details that really matter but those who know really do know. Punk wasn’t invented by chancers or clothes shop owners it was invented by kids on both sides of the Atlantic who felt forgotten and lost and had something to rally against and one of the biggest magnets of the scene happens to have been one Brian James. From the gushing introduction from Henry Rollins something of a punk rock fact nurd who actually puts things into perspective. James deserves respect and with respect has carved one hell of a catalogue of work and reinvented himself several times and was a success every time. I’m delighted to have this book in my hands and feast on the details and exquisite picture catalogue Wombat has amassed.
Brian was a visionary and someone people wanted to be around as this book will testify sure he borrowed heavily from the likes of Richards and Ashton and those Mc5s but he didn’t just copy them he went away and created a new sound and style that exploded for a brief second in time and the ripples are still being felt in and around our little corner of the world where music matters and not just being the first to this or that Brian made records that mattered and was above all life-changing and life-affirming. This biography tells Brian’s story from dingy basements to where he is today still creating and everything in between.
I don’t want to tell Brians story (He’ll do that when he finally releases his autobiography) in the interim Wombat (who also has some excellent books on Johnny Thunders and Bryan Gregory & The Cramps) has gathered painstakingly some fantastic anecdotal memories and pictures to open up Brians world in music to the reader who if your a fan of all or many of Brians works you’ll find this a real treat. If you’re looking for the true embodiment of punk rock then you’ve found the holy grail Brian James is punk rock and as he said himself he didn’t do this for fame or fortune he did it because its the only thing he ever wanted to do and still is! That warms the cockles of my heart and confirms what I’ve always known. Brian James is a legend.
The book starts off right at the beginning and with a classic cowboy picture of James as a nipper and takes you through the various periods of his life – It’s not overly indulgent and keeps things brief but you do get a good picture of where he comes from and the man himself his first meeting with Johnny Thunders, Breaking up the Damned, the Pistols, Anarchy tour its all covered but just giving a brief outline and not reaching into minute details unlike many books on the subject of say the Anarchy Tour it was only a few weeks of one year move on people, please.
The book flows well and some of the pictures are fantastic as are a lot of the clips of tickets and bill posters that are reproduced which is really nice for us anoraks. The stuff around the Brains and Tanz Der Youth period then into Brians thoughts on touring with Iggy on ‘Soldiers’ and ‘New Values’ is great stuff but I wanted to get to the Lords stuff and it doesn’t disappoint with some fantastic pictures spread out over many pages then chapter seven and the Lords with some great insight from Dave (Treganna) and roadie and friend Ivor who knocked out one of the best quotes in the book when he is explaining that the band were forever on tour and they were indeed heady wild times and he’d tuned Brians guitars more times than Brian ever had Dave summary of recording ‘Like A Virgin’ is succinct and the picture taken from the photoshoot is hilarious. I could read about the Lords all day and night to me they were one of the magical bands in my lifetime and along with Hanoi Rocks will always hold a special place.
If you’re a fan then what’s not to like its an easy read and the pictures are great. John wombat has done a sterling job and pulled together a very readable book of one of my musical Heroes and on finishing this it’s only cemented my initial fanboy thoughts go to the link and click and pick up a copy you won’t regret it at all. Now Mr. James get on with the autobiography this has only whet my appetite for more ramblings and pictures. buy it!
Buy ‘The authorised Biography Of Brian James’ Here
Tickets Here
The EFG London Jazz Festival is thrilled to welcome the legendary Iggy Pop to Barbican this November, in a UK exclusive performance of his critically acclaimed new album, Free.
‘Iggy Pop has delivered one of the most singular and interesting records of his long career.’(Consequence of Sound)
From breaking new grounds in punk rock with The Stooges to his radio show at BBC 6 Music, Iggy Pop has always challenged norms, defied expectations and has been a major influence on countless musicians from a wide range of genres.
Building on years of jazz collaborations with the likes of Medeski Martin and Wood, as well as on Jamie Saft, Steve Swallow and Bobby Previte’s Loneliness Road, and his jazz, chanson and literature influenced 2009 album Préliminaires, Pop takes the lead role in Free, described as ‘irresistible, loose, thoughtful and free-wheeling – a dreamy and sparse soundscape‘ (★★★★ by The Independent.)
‘Free is a liberating collection that unshackles the star from his past and his insecurities, and slowly cracks open a door to version of the future that will inevitably arrive when he’s ready. Wherever that journey takes him in this phase of his career, it’ll be an honour to witness.’ (★★★★ NME)
You can forget about your boot boy Glam of Guida or any other pretenders who think they have their finger on the pulse of ’70s glam rock vibe because there can be only one at the top of the pile and quite frankly that’s Gyasi. From the opening intro and lyric come the wise words “if you can’t hide it hang bells on it, Baby!” Hell yeah! we’re off.
With a trashy tempo ‘Colourful’ is up and running. The title track is up next with its big strumming acoustic guitar holding the rhythm along with handclaps and some sweet organ toots its glam alright like when the 60s turned into the 70s and it was all about the music. Excellent stuff.
As the record goes from a fruity early Joe Perry like riff or the Zep inspired ‘Young Love’ to the out and out glam of ‘Tongue Tied’ the band kick back and mix up some classic Lower East Side rock and roll al a Lou Reed stylings on ‘Blackstrap’ its got some lush horns and matching riff which makes for an interesting and enjoyable cocktail for sure.
To be fair this album has ten really good tunes it might not necessarily make album of the year it is full of solid rock and roll songs that are well written and well played and borrow bits and pieces from the good and the great from a bygone era – given a dust down and remodeled with extra feathers is always going to go down well around here. I do like what they bring on ‘Bring Your Love’ mixing up the acoustic and electric guitars and summoning the spirit of prime time Robert Plant draws on some classic trippy rock as well. ‘Nightcrawl’ has a cool organ rasping away on the intro like John Lord in platforms and feathers with a nice line in nail polish and listening to classic Iggy Pop when he went to Berlin for inspiration.
Saving the best until the end ‘Kiss Kiss’ is a piano tonkin’ sax blowing romp that the Dolls would have been proud of and ‘Little Tramp’ is sitting crossed legged with only ‘Hunky Dory’ for companionship atop of a mountain. great record go pick it up glam slammers.
Author: Dom Daley
Buy Androgyne Here
IGGY POP HAS RELEASED ANOTHER TRACK FROM THE UPCOMING ALBUM FREE. “JAMES BOND” TELLS A STORY:
“I don’t know what she’s up to exactly, but the tables seem to be turning, and she’s taking over. Well, why not? I’ll try anything once.”
“I’ve never had more fun singing a lyric. Faith’s reading is so loaded, and Leron’s production and trumpet along with the band swings like crazy.”
Featuring the legendary rock star in one of his most iconic poses, during The Stooges “peanut butter incident” at Cincinnati Pop Festival in June 1970
Wax Face Toys is pleased to announce a new series of figures in resin and vinyl from the best in music, film, and cult popular culture. Their first offering, a collaboration between music legend Iggy Pop and Wax Face Toys, is manufactured by Unbox Industries under exclusive license from Thread Shop, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
Last month marked the 49th anniversary of the infamous “peanut butter incident” at Crosley Field. With a position taken from an Iggy and the Stooges concert at the Cincinnati Pop Festival on June 13th 1970, this resin figure captures Iggy hoisted high by an adoring audience in his iconic shirtless pose, seconds before smearing peanut butter all over his chest and throwing it into the crowd as The Stooges ripped through “1970” from Fun House.
Sculpted in London by ex-Madame Tussauds sculptors, this 15.7″ / 40cm figure (which is about 2 1/2 times the size of a normal bobble head figure) is molded in silver
The black figure, as previewed in Dangerous Minds, has already sold out but other colorways will be available to purchase at Unbox Industries periodically.
The silver edition is limited to 35 pieces and will go on sale on June 29th for $249 (with shipping) at http://store.unboxindustries.info
We got in touch with Mick from Grindhouse when we saw they were going to go on an overseas excursion and we wanted to get up to speed with what they had planned and for the uninitiated, it was a chance for Mick to set out the Grindhouse stall so to speak. Here with the chatter that matters about all things down under and Grindhouse is Mick ‘Two Fingers’ Simpson.
Its always been a hotbed of Punk Rock and Roll down under – sure it might have taken a while for us snobs in the Northern Hemisphere to cotton on to some of the bands but the UK can’t get enough of Australian bands at the moment and the trail blazed by the likes of Radio Birdman, The Saints, Cosmic Psycos and Rose Tattoo has recently been reignited by the likes of Amyl & The Sniffers, Grindhouse, The Chats (to name just a few – I Could go on) all making a dent in the scene halfway around the world. We wanted to get a hold of Grindhouse and see what’s up so we contacted Mick to get the inside track on all things Grindhouse.
G’day Mick. You say you were listening to bootleg albums of your rock and roll heroes hoping one day to imitate them. who and what albums were Grindhouse listening to in the back of that XD?
Ah I see you have done your homework, yeah I grew up on a lot of Australian independent rock kind of by accident. Not that I’m an old fucker but we didn’t have the internet back then so it was a case of finding bands by word of mouth or stumbling across them on peoples stereos at parties or riding around in cars looking for cheap booze and good times. That’s where I discovered Radio Birdman( Radios appear), The Saints, Tumbleweed( Galactaphonic) and Aasteriod B6182. Then wed go out on a Saturday night with a fake ID and watching these bands in the flesh. Ok now I feel a little older ha, ha
Tell us a brief history of the band where did you guys meet?
We all grew up in a seaside city called Wollongong but ended up in Melbourne, our drummer had unprotected sex and had to leave the band. We all warned him but he didn’t listen.
The nucleus of the band came from another garage band called the Wardens but I wanted an avenue to really play punk rock, sing about dirty shit and not give a fuck, that’s how Grindhouse came about.
You say you’re interested in vintage porn and Mosrite guitars. when you say vintage porn what are we talking here? John Holmes? and the guitars why the Mosrites?
Fuck me I probably wrote that when I first started the band and totally forgot to be honest. Pony plays a 64 Mosrite Ventures that sounds nasty as cat shit but very cool and I used to have a great vintage 70,s porn mag collection in the 90,s so maybe its art imitating life.
What does Melbourne make of Grindhouse? will you be welcomed back after your European excursion like prodigal sons or will they close the borders and pretend they’re out so you cant get back in?
We have a loyal bunch of misfits, part-time alcoholics, fare evaders, bum sniffers, serial masturbaters, Lube lovers, weed smokers, vintage porn collectors, speed creeps, and sex freaks we lovingly call Grindhouse fans and that’s just the members of the band.
Hopefully we just clear customs without a strip search( happy for a pat-down), other than that anything else is a bonus.
I’ve always loved me some Australian rock and roll but at the moment there seems to be a real demand for it over here in the UK. We recently had the Chats over as well as Cosmic Psycos and Amyl And The Sniffers and Radio Birdman always manage to play London or at least for the past few years. You guys are coming so what can or should we expect?
Its definitely taken off in the UK lately which is great, I think mainland Europe has always been the main staple of o/s touring for Australian bands so its great for bands to have the UK as another option. Historically the UK has always had a strong connection with Australian music from The Saints to The Birthday Party so its no real surprise. As for the mentioned bands, Birdman will always be Birdman but the next generation of younger bands coming through is great even for us as it creates interest in Aussie Independent bands. Amyl and the sniffers are a great live show, the Psychos seem to just find another gear and get better with age and The Chats just supported Iggy Pop in Melbourne so am I jealous? You better fucking believe it.
Any other recommendations you could tip us off with. Who would Grindhouse like to drag around Australia with them?
I love a band from Melbourne called Stiff Richards who id call the best garage band in Australia at the moment other than Grindhouse, there,s also a great Ramones inspired garage doo-wop band from Adelaide called Jullitte seizure and the tremor dolls who we love too.
Its been a year since ‘Can I Drive Your Commodore?’ came out. Are we near a follow-up? Tell us about any new music?
We have a plan to record a new album later this year with a working title of “ Sex, Punk, Power” and well be testing some of the new songs on the road which will be cool.
The titles on the record made me instantly smile and from those titles, I was buzzin’ to hear the songs and I knew exactly how they were going to sound. What’s the best title you’ve come up with so far? and why don’t more bands sing about Cheese and their love for friends like Gary? Isn’t shit cocaine dangerous? and is the Australian Car industry really dead?
I’ve always loved ‘Wild sex and machine guns” on our first album as its about a woman I worked with who loved those two things which cracked me up. Our titles are inspired by growing up in the suburbs of 80,s Australia so a lot of people connect to the songs. We don’t make cars in Australia anymore and we also have a lot of shit cocaine in this country so I’ve been told.
As for Peter Russel Clarkle, every band should have a song about a celebrity chef who loves tasty cheese.
Are you guys in shape now ready for a hot and sweaty tour of Europe? Can we have a bunch of shows in the UK, please
I don’t know if were hot but were sweaty and ready, id love to do the Uk so fingers crossed we can get there sooner than later. We have a band we love from Nottingham called The Hip Priests who wed love to do it with plus the beer in the UK is always ice cold.(it’s actually fucken very tasty).
Mick did say that they were looking to coming to Shit Island sometime next year hopefully with a brand new album under the hood so its our (and your) duty to demand it and make it happen by showing bands like Grindhouse that the UK loves them and wants to bring them here for some live dates.
Buy Grindhouse Here
In the week Iggy turned 72 he announced he’d be reissuing the long deleted ‘Zombie Birdhouse’ which will come out on 28th June pre-orders Here
It wasn’t a great shock seeing as ‘The Villagers’ was picked as a RSD single this year. Maybe it’ll also see Iggy finally release some of the albums he made that never got onto vinyl finally get a vinyl release off the back of the interest in this.
As it was the old mans Birthday yesterday we thought this special Easter Monday Should be a three from one and not perhaps his most obvious performances either. Firstly it’s
his guest vocal on ‘Punkrocker’ by Teddybears
Next up is a video for the awesome ‘Five Foot One’ and a video that just doesn’t get made anymore with Iggy looking like a Geography Teacher well for part of the video anyway.
Finally, an excellent song he collaborated on with Peaches. Take it away the odd couple…
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