False Heads – The ‘Gutter Press’ EP.
False Heads – London, England, United Kingdom.
For our previous work on the band – Click Here.
(Above) Photo credit: Gregory Hesse-Wagner.
False Heads, a band that we’ve seen before and a band we have indeed heard before. A band whose past sounds we have dissected only for them to be lost to the sound-waves as progression has forced them ever forward.
A band that whose varied ties have led them through the avenues of radio friendly Alternative Rock, Indie and Punk-Rock to a sound that takes in the best of the three and twists it into a London culminated package – sealed, stamped and sent off.
With that in mind and with their new EP Gutter Press sat alongside a back catalogue that is very much unrelenting and considerably difficult to criticise, False Heads have garnered praise from the likes of Iggy Pop and a wide range of founded and prestigious review outlets.
The band have also signed too 25 Hour Convenience Store, a label owned and operated by one Gary Powell (of The Libertines fame) and to top off this attitude laden Alt. Rock cake, this latest effort was recorded in the studio of none other than Pete Townsend, who needs no introduction.
Shall we?
‘Twenty Nothing’ is playful from the off. It breathes that punky 90’s Alternative Rock sound that was so associated with Grunge but British Indie and a deliberately toneless vocal style guides you in alongside a flirtations Indie guitar that sits as a perfect foundation and refrain alike.
‘Thick Skin’ continues this penchant for rhythmic and simplistic Alt. Rock utilised for the very purpose to juxtapose the subdued vocals and more importantly, to be fun for both band and listener. The band’s youth is something that has always been obvious, but its also something that doesn’t affect or hold back the mature sound the years of changes have brought about. Lyrically speaking, ‘Thick Skin’ is clever and testament to strength of the three-piece. Who said nothing good ever came out of East London?
‘Thick Skin’ is a hard act to follow and but with the gratuitously and heavily satisfying heavy riff of ‘Slew’ you cant help but smile as you the slow motion head-banging takes you. When said convulsion is done with you, a Punk-Rock vocal structure laced with enough contemporary Indie Rock to keep things in continuity broadens that smile.
The smile then broadens even further as False Heads flirt with Punk, Grunge and general abandon even further in a track that is quite frankly one of their best.
‘Weigh In’ is follows this line but its own progressive spin as a darker sounding band continue to prove their versatility. Quite informally I have to give top marks to the bass strings and relentlessly pounded skins for this one, for many-a-Punk would find themselves pitting frantically in a live setting.
‘For someone who claims their wise, you dead behind the eyes[…]’ opens ‘Comfort Consumption’ where the band get as close as they can to writing a ballad. Except you must not forget, this is False Heads so it’s never that simple.
‘Comfort Consumption’ is chilling and fights – albeit slowly – complacency in it’s own way. It’s not the most viscerally intense track but lyrically and emotionally it more than compensates in its bare and honest simplicity.
Musically speaking the sombre melodic guitar work with its mild crescendo-led lead pairs perfectly with more “in control” and calmer rhythm section. Vocally Luke Griffiths’ naturally strong accented and almost disinterested vocal style breaks away from the Punk-snot and distaste and relaxes in time with the release itself.
‘I don’t want peace, don’t sit me here – with people that do not live’
Find the band below:
- False Heads: Facebook, Twitter, Official Website
- 25 Hour Convenience Store: Facebook, Twitter, Official Website.
- ‘Gutter Press’ and the band’s is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes/Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer and via Pledge Music – Here.
#StayFresh
