GODSTICKS PREMIERE NEW TRACK & VIDEO FOR “SURRENDER” TAKEN FROM THEIR NEW ALBUM INESCAPABLE

by | Feb 8, 2020 | News

Godsticks present their second single and video “Surrender from Inescapable their new and most accomplished album to date.

Godsticks’ Darran Charles divulges his inspiration for the song “I suppose Surrender is a lyrical re-enactment of conversations I’ve had with myself about not surrendering to the obsessive and controlling parts of my personality. I used to believe that my obsession to ‘achieve’ at all costs was both the key to success and the fuel for ambition but as the years went by, I found that I’d become so focused on achieving goals that I forgot the reasons I’d set them. A good example of this is playing live: I used to be so obsessed with being able to perform a perfect rendition of every song each night, that I forgot to be in the moment and enjoy the experience.

Eventually I realised I wasn’t enjoying anything and found myself belittling accomplishments, big or small. Even though I wanted to change, deep down there was this fear that if I diluted these strong aspects of my persona then I’d lose the drive and focus to improve. Over time I’ve learnt to control the obsession as much as possible by accepting that if I continue to work hard then it is ok to enjoy the fruits of my labour. This ongoing process of learning how to appreciate achievements and realising how lucky I am to be able to write songs that people might want to hear, has allowed me to enjoy music and therefore life.  It is an ongoing challenge to reconcile those contrasting parts of my being, and in that sense the music of ‘Surrender’ is quite representative of me in that it’s in equal measure dark and uplifting!”

Godsticks’ mix of heavy rock, progressive and alternative metal with a dynamic range of angular riffs and emotional depth will leave listeners reeling and with Inescapable, the band have channelled their energy and technical ability into the melody, phrasing and vocal performance, allowing emotion to take centre stage.

The band found themselves wanting a definitive theme running through Inescapable, without turning it into a concept album, of being more open, more personal and ultimately one that shines an inquisitive light on Charles’s struggle with inner demons which gave the songs a new level of intimacy. “Lyrically, I’ve always shared personal thoughts, feelings and experiences but in a very ambiguous way. For Inescapable – in a conscious effort not to repeat ourselves – I thought I’d be a little more self-reflective and perhaps examine some of my inner demons. I have a strange relationship with music, and especially playing guitar. I would struggle to survive without either, but equally they have made my life mentally torturous because my own self-worth is completely wrapped up in them. I used to be very much a perfectionist in my early years, and whilst some people may wear that as a badge of honour, I eventually viewed it as huge heavy weight dragging down. It was a long time before I arrived at the realisation that perfection was impossible to achieve.” elaborates Darran Charles.

Inescapable was produced by James Loughrey (Skindred) and recorded at the famed heritage Monnow Valley studio.

Godsticks are supporting the new material beginning in April with a UK tour followed by summer festivals.

2/4/2020 – Cardiff – Fuel Rock Club
3/4/2020 – London – Black Heart
4/4/2020 – Edinburgh – Opium
5/4/2020 – Manchester – Gullivers

Tickets available https://www.facebook.com/godsticks/

Inescapable will be released on CD, LP & digitally on 7th February through Kscope and is available to PRE-ORDER HERE NOW (“Denigrate” is available as an instant download on digital pre-orders – “Surrender” will be available on 31st January)

Inescapable Tracklisting

1. Denigrate [03:53]WATCH VIDEO
2. Victim [06:14]
3. Relief [05:40]
4. Surrender [04:44]
5. Numb [05:08]
6. Change [09:31]
7. Breathe [05:17]
8. Time [05:48]
9. Resist [04:36]

Godsticks are:

Darran Charles: Vocals, guitars, keys, synths
Dan Nelson: Bass
Gavin Bushell: Guitars
Tom Price: Drums
Backing vocals on ‘Denigrate’ – Daniel Tompkins

Follow Godsticks:
Website: www.godsticks.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godsticks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsticksmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Godsticks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/godsticksmusic

 

THE ARISTOCRATS FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM “YOU KNOW WHAT…?” TO BE RELEASED ON JUNE 28TH

by | Jun 3, 2019 | News

What do you call an act who blends elements of dirty rock, folk, jazz, and explosions of esoterica into one mind-melding album? 
The Aristocrats, of course.

The Aristocrats (guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Marco Minnemann) are perhaps the best known instrumental rock-fusion band on the circuit and have just recorded their most ambitious and exploratory album in their eight year history. You Know What…? is the fourth studio album from the trio and includes nine new tracks recorded at Brotheryn Studios, Ojai, CA. 

In true Aristocratic tradition, each band member wrote and produced three songs which were brought to life in the studio thanks to the band’s instinctive chemistry and shared musical vocabulary. Having taken a little time away to work on other projects, the band were excited to be back together doing what they do best and producing a sound that’s at once fresh and new but unmistakably the work of The Aristocrats with their trademark blend of discipline and musical freedom. True to form, the album doesn’t hitch its wagon to any one genre. The only rules the trio live by are that the music must be pleasurable for the listener and it most definitely has to be fun to play. 

A glance at the track listing for You Know What…? may cause some raised eyebrows from those unfamiliar with the band. For fans however, it’s a tantalizing glimpse of the stories behind the songs that the band will soon be sharing with audiences all over the world on their upcoming world tour, which begins in North America this summer. From the filthy, greasy rock of “D Grade F*ck Movie Jam” and “Terrible Lizard”, to the quirky anything-goes madness of “Spiritus Cactus” and “Spanish Eddie”, to the lavishly arranged “Burial At Sea” and “When We All Come Together”, and to the timeless melodies of “All Said And Done” and Last Orders”, You Know What…? is an album full of addictive grooves, high energy jamming and seemingly impossible musical twists and turns.The Aristocrats are undoubtedly back and ready to blow some minds.

The band are pretty pleased with how it turned out, commenting that: “On You Know What…?, we feel like we inspired each other as songwriters and musicians to do things we’ve never done before as a band. We know each other pretty well now, and we used that familiarity to really get after it in the studio and push the boundaries of what we can accomplish on a record. And still, it’s totally, completely an Aristocrats album. We think it’s the coolest thing we’ve done yet by far.”

Track Listing

1.     D Grade F*ck Movie Jam 
2.     Spanish Eddie 
3.     When We All Come Together 
4.     All Said And Done 
5.     Terrible Lizard 
6.     Spiritus Cactus 
7.     The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde 
8.     Burial At Sea 
9.     Last Orders 

You Know What…? will be available in both standard and deluxe CD packages, in addition to digital download and streaming versions. The deluxe edition includes a bonus DVD, filmed and edited by Jon Luini, featuring exclusive studio footage and interviews with the band – as well as a 12-page booklet comprising artwork to accompany each song, in which Graphic Artist Hajo Müller continues and expands the Aristocratic tradition of illustrated artwork with a decidedly childlike vision of each of the album’s nine tunes. You Know What…? will be released on June 28th 2019. Pre-sales will be available from early June.

The Aristocrats will begin a new world tour this year in support of You Know What…?, starting with their very own music camp “The Aristocamp” in upstate New York from June 18th to 21st before heading off for their most extensive tour yet of North America. Tour dates for other continents will be announced in the coming months.

Tour dates and ticket links can be found on The Aristocrats website at: http://the-aristocrats-band.com/shows/

All studio and live releases by The Aristocrats can be purchased at: https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/the-aristocrats

For more information on The Aristocrats, please visit: 

Website: http://the-aristocrats-band.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/aristocratsband
Twitter: https://twitter.com/acratsband
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thearistocratsband/