THE NEIGHBOURHOOD STRANGE
‘Let’s Get High’ / ‘One Last Chance’
LABEL: Strange Recordings
FORMAT: Seven Inch Single / CD (500 copies in both formats)
RELEASE DATE: 17th March  2017
 

The Neighbourhood Strange return with another AA side 45 of edgy punk-tinged psychedelic garage-rock that will once again certainly gain approval from weird neighbour Julian Cope. Springing from a scene that gave the music world at large Jane From Occupied Europe, The Badgeman and The Nuthins (whose Marcus and Bob feature here), The Neighbourhood Strange continue that typically Sarum blend of darkness and light via desolate heartfelt vocals, fuzzy guitars and reedy organ.  ‘Let’s Get High’ has both feet in the ’80s garage camp recalling the Italian arrogance of The Sick Rose. Marcus’s demanding vocal almost hints at this slouchy stomp being a new anti-dance craze as “the band just played their songs” and he would rather get high, whilst Mark’s snaking guitar lines and Bob’s pumping organ keep the whole thing moving along.

The double AA side lowers the mood as ‘One Last Chance’ takes a walk on the wild side through Lou Reed’s Lower East Side dragged via Peter Perret’s England’s Glory into a dirty laconic lament, that is not without a modicum of hope. It also recalls Salisbury’s similarly nonchalant The Badgeman.

The Strange have already caused ripples throughout the musical firmament. March 2015 saw them record their debut session at The Crow’s Nest Studios, London with Olly Betts of The Duke Spirit producing – this single was once again recorded with Olly. Having also played hundreds of gigs, the most notable being alongside Californian psych rockers Carlton Melton, and already having had BBC 6 Music airplay from Steve Lamacq, their State Studio recorded ‘Many Secrets’ featured on the acclaimed Shindig! Magazine download their future on the international psychedelic festival scene looks guaranteed. 

2017 is shaping up with plenty more gigs, including a tour of the UK planned for the summer, and an album due the end of the year.

Jonathan No 1

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