Doctor Who by Ron Grainer, arranged by Geoff Platt. Published by Chappell Music Ltd, all rights reserved.

Ron Grainer's Doctor Who theme, as realised by Delia Derbyshire was an early classic in electronica, but each successive arrangement tended to elaborate on the original, culminating in the orchestral version – with all its counterpoint melodies – that is used today. 

New Earthlings have sought to get back to the original, but in a hard rock style. It's released digitally on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify on August 23rd (to coincide with the new series), and may be pre-ordered now.

Here's the backstory: a couple of years ago, Guitarist Geoff Platt suffered a heart attack while on a trip out to London, where he was admitted to University College Hospital and transferred to the Heart Hospital where surgeons fixed him up with a couple of cardiac stents through the leg via the main artery.

He was monitored by a moving x-ray machine on a jib, controlled by a man behind a glass screen, relayed to a wall of video screens showing his own heart beating. It felt like a scene from a Doctor Who episode.

That prompted the band to re-recorded the famous tune, giving it a rockier feel.


Doctor Who charity single

New Earthlings: Down 'n' dirty '70s-flavoured driving guitar riffs, strong stadium vocals and tight melodies with Zep, Purple and Lizzy influences.

Formed in 2008, British rock band New Earthlings are to release a self-produced album of catchy, hooky rock songs by the spring of 2015: Some old, some new, and all original material. There will be 10 tracks on the album.

(Like a) Jigsaw
Chameleon
Freedom
Illusions
Mad as Hell
King Kong
Oil
Subject to Status
Your Own Worst Disguise
One More Try 

New Earthlings Album Sampler 2015

(Like a) Jigsaw is a bouncy, rocking tune that tells a mindful story: "My life's in pieces like a jigsaw", goes the chorus. The single, at 3'22" is  two and a half minutes shorter than the album version.

(Like a) Jigsaw (radio edit)

like-a-jigsaw-radio-edit

Down 'n' dirty driving guitar riffs, strong stadium vocals and tight melodies with Zep, Purple and Lizzy influences.

Formed in 2008 as a songwriting and recording project, British rock band New Earthlings release a self-produced album of catchy, hooky rock songs in 2017, featuring all original material.

The track listing for the album is as follows:

(Like a) Jigsaw
Chameleon
Freedom
Mad as Hell
Subject to Status
Illusions
King Kong
Oil
Your Own Worst Disguise
One More Try

Personnel:
Swain - vox, guitar, bass, BV
Swain has had varied musical tastes ranging from classic rock, through to drum & bass and hip hop. Whilst at university, Swain gained a taste for heavier bands such as Metallica, Killswitch Engage and System of a Down to name but a few.

Geoff - guitar, BV
Geoff has been coming up with tunes since the age of nine. Self taught, first on classical guitar and then electric, Geoff has sought to combine the two and create a style all his own: the nylon-strung electric guitar.

Tony - keyboards, grand piano
Tony began playing keyboards whilst in primary school and by university had completed the ABRSM piano grades. Tony plays (amongst others) a Yamaha Motif XF8 Synth, Yamaha MOX8 Synth, and had use of the fabulous Yamaha CFX Concert Grand for the album.

Chris - drums
Christopher has played with a whole host of bands throughout Milton Keynes, Banbury, Birmingham and London. The sessions with New Earthlings were very exciting, and each track was learned on the day, with only two or three takes per song – allowing for a very natural feel to each track, and no time to overthink the parts!

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Geoff, Tony and Swain.