Clean Cut Kid - Pick Me Up

1 . Who are this this motley looking crew?

Clean Cut Kid are an indie pop rock band who fight out of Liverpool. They have been on the lam since 2014. Pick Me Up (Feb'16) is a stand alone single and they have three more singles in their swag.

2. So what kind of tune are Clean Cut Kids peddling?

The kind that gets stuck in your brain on repeat god damn it. Like it or loathe it. Pick Me Up sounds like youth tearing it up and to be fair it's hard to connect the song with the faces. The chorus roars along faster than a junkie from the plod and if English guitar indie is your thing this is a bullseye.

3. Who do Clean Cut Kid sound like?

Well bugger me Billy that's a dot ball. King No-One, High Tyde, Circa Waves, Blossoms and Regions will all put you on the right road. You will have to find the right address.

The guitar in Pick Me Up draws comparisons in overheated imaginations with The Clash's English Civil War and in general the song has vague echoes of Billy Joel's piece of pus We Didn't Start The Fire. Don't let it put you off.

Liverpool Noise compared Clean Cut Kid to Angus and Julia, and Beach House. Vampire Weekend twinkled The Line Of Best Fit.

4. So what do the cut and paste jackals have to say about Clean Cut Kid?

Slim pickings. Science of Sound say Pick Me Up has a “... jubilant chorus and sprightly melody lines serve as an injection of pure adrenalin.” Youthgasm heard “a lolloping anthem,” Its All Indie were buzzed by, “Genuine thought provoking lyrics and equally mind pushing compositions treat any listener to a delightful experience.” Popped Music straight batted with “... signature harmonies, skilful guitar licks, bouncing bass lines and super 80's synths.”

In general Clean Cut Kid's music has been described as “... undertones of psychedelic rock and country, but on the whole they deliver truly mesmerising folk melodies that are extremely catchy,” by Liverpool Noise having a laugh. “The whip-smart immediacy of classic radio pop; but there is something much deeper going on in there too,” analysed U Music Pub and “inventive and adventurous art-pop,” plonked Turks Underdog.

 

5. Which bands influence Clean Cut Kid?

Bands that have put the stride in Clean Cut Kid’s step include St Vincent, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Talking Heads and Arcade Fire. Front man Mike Hall has said he spent years listening to The Beatles and Michael Jackson. In the Liverpool Echo the band mentioned love for Fleetwood Mac, Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend. More recently they have been listening to Grimes, Taylor Swift and Youth Lagoon. 

 

6. So why should I listen to Pick Me Up?

 Besides the fact that it's more infectious than a Thai rent boy's shit pump? There's a hint of grit lurking in what could be passed off as only sparkling indie pop. Real rock'n'roll. The song is as advertised, it will pick you as fast as a puff of ice.

 7. Do Clean Cut Kid have any other groovers?

 First stop to getting on the good foot should be Vitamin C. Clean Cut Kid's best song a get happy pop rocker with bubble and bounce.Classy song, great video. That's all I'm having.

 8. Any icing for the cake?

The keyboardist Evelyn Halls is married to the singer and guitarist Mike ... ahhh you get the picture. But y'know, every football team has a goalie but goals still get scored, so follow your crush if you have one Jimmy.

The band were on fluffer duiteis for Years & Years, Circa waves, Brandon Flowers, Rat Boy and The Courteeners in 2015. Keeping good company.

 

“I hear your voice, it cuts like a knife,

hits like a bolt from the blue, Pick Me Up!”

 

 

Slippery seconds is brought to you today by Zibra an indie synth-pop band from London with three short players under their wings. The band have been making music since 2012 and Wasted Days (Oct’16) is their most recent, and most popular, effort.