HOME FRONT - Nation

 

1. Who are HOME FRONT?

HOME FRONT are a punk/new wave (they call themselves bootwave) band from Edmonton, Canada. Formed in 2021 with members from other bands Nation (March, 2023) is a single, and most popular song, from their debut alnum Games of Power (March, 2023).

2. What kind of song is Nation?

Nation contains enough hints of HOME FRONT's new wave foundations to make it fresh exciting and interesting, combined with lashings of boot-boy-running-down-the-streets-shouting-Oi-Oi-Oi rebellious energy. Nation gives an intriguing and alluring boot in the balls to two old genres and of course it features vocals from Cal Graham of The Chisel. It's pure fucking genius and like a breath of air to a drowning man.

3. Which bands do HOME FRONT sound like?

Comparisons have been made to High Vis, Suicide  and Syndrome 81. Hell throw in that TURNSTILE song while we are at it. They have also kept company with Béton Armé, The Chisel and Conservative Military Image.

4. Which bands have influenced HOME FRONT?

Information is thin on the ground so let's rolls with Joy Division, Devo, and Blitz.

5. What have people said about Nation?

"Stuffed to the brim with icy synths and righteous indignation" - Maximum Rock'n'Roll.

"A shouty Oi anthem" - Just Some Punk Songs.

"Nation lets a massive gang-chant hook guide it's chorus with fist-pumping vigor" - Exclaim!

"We're poor as fuck,

So they lock us up,

Throw away the key"

Richard Ashcroft - This Is How It Feels

1. Who is this gangly streak of piss?

Richard Ashcroft was the front man for princes of Britpop The Verve. Striking out on his own he has six long players in the bank. This Is How It Feels (Feb'16) is the debut single from the sixth album These People (May'16).

2. What kind of tune is Richard Ashcroft slinging these days?

A belter. This Is How It Feels is a languid slow burner that wallows in the epic space creating by the strings and wall of sound guitars while effortlessly juxtaposing with the profound intimacy created by the acoustic guitar and baritone vocals. The song builds to a supremely satisfying slow crescendo.

3. Who does Richard Ashcroft sound like?

The bleeding obvious, The Verve. This Is How It Feels is a big one and fits Bittersweet Symphony size boots nicely.

4. What have the cut and paste merchants got to say?

“Taking the grandiose spirit of The Verve and channelling it into very old school, traditional songwriting” – DIY.

“Stripped back and mellow but it never loses its rawness” – 6 Towns.

“A brilliant return, packed full of acoustic melody and Ashcroft’s outstanding vocals” – Tenement TV.

 

5. Which bands have put the epic in Mr Ashcroft's greatness?

 Richard Ashcrofts influences are The Stooges, Funkadelic, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Next up are Joy Division, The Byrds, Miles Davis and The Smiths.

 

6. Why should I give This Is How It Feels a lashing?

Don't. You'll be hearing it everywhere soon enough. This Is How It Feels has the grandeur of Bittersweet Symphony but so if you like that...

 

7. Does Dicky have any more bangers?

No. Bollocks the lot of it.

 

8. Any more good words?

Richard Ashcroft says the new album these people is about, “some personal and world events taking a dark turn, leading to a sense of urgency and a clearing of the mind”.

Richard Ashcroft played junior football for Wigan Athletic.
 

“Oh, she went straight for my veins,

 Now I'm back home again”

 

 

 

Stirring the custard are New Orleans new wave duo Generationals. Started in 2008 the band have four long players propping up the record player. Black Lemons (2014) bubbled off their fourth album Alix and is a song NPR said, “mixes marimba-based jolliness and lyrics tinged with darkness.” Kooky goodness.
 

“I let my old life tie me to the tracks,
I heard my best friend tell me,
You can never go back”