St Louis Elegy

Sam Smith sings Pink Floyd - The Thin Ice

Set in the dark trenches of solitude, this powerful, introspective song follows the intertwined destinies of two brothers – one alive, the other just about breathing. 

Here in ‘Bad Water’ lies one of Sam Smith’s most personal and visceral records, where he explores some of his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity, the inexplicability of love and the consequences of self-destructive behavior. Inspired by Ryan Adams’ ‘Love is Hell’ album, Springsteen’s ‘Tunnel of Love’, “American” era Johnny Cash & Mark Lanegan’s cover of Solitaire by Neil Sedaka, ‘Bad Water’ presents another insight into the mind of Manchester’s Sam Smith. 

The B-Side, a version of Irish folk song ‘The Moonshiner’ was inspired by Uncle Tupelo’s cover of the same song and provides accompaniment to the overall theme of the release. 

The first record Sam Smith has released under his birth name since 2013’s ‘From Heathens to Devils’, ‘Bad Water' is the precursor to the upcoming album by his new band ‘The Parish Church Fire’ (due late 2017). Buy it, don’t stream it.





'Bad Water' written and recorded in January 2017 by Samuel Frankie James Smith 

'Moonshiner' - Trad.

Sam Smith - Moonshiner

Sam Smith - Bad Water

Released by German Shepherd Records on May 10th 2019, Hunger represents the rebirth of Manchester alternative rock band ‘The Parish Church Fire’. The single, coupled with b-side Adam Raised a Cain is the first release by the band since Sam Smith & Joe Roberts combined to release Locamente in 2016. Joined by new members John Bardsley and Timothy Hughes for the first time, the disquiet quality of Hunger is underpinned by its b-side: a hard rock version of Bruce Springsteen’s Adam Raised a Cain from his 1978 album “Darkness on the Edge of Town”.

The start of a new era for Sam Smith, Hunger is the crystallisation of 6 and half years of work trying to get The Parish Church Fire established as a live band as opposed to its previous role a studio project for Smith.

On Hunger you hear the band in its new guise for the first time performing as they will on stage in 2019. Recorded in April 2019 by founder of the band Sam Smith in his studio and produced by both Smith & drummer Joe Roberts, the release is as direct as its title and lyrics suggest: The Parish Church Fire are “hungry for more” following years of inactivity. 

The b-side Adam Raised a Cain was carefully chosen to be a part of this release as its lyrical content is somewhat paired with Hunger and it will be an integral part of the bands upcoming shows in 2019

Adam Raised a Cain

Hunger

Last year, we played our first ever gig at Strummercamp Festival. This weekend, we were supposed to be performing again for the second year running, however due to COVID-19 it was cancelled a couple of months ago. Festival organiser Phil Fitzpatrick contacted us and asked us to provide some music for a compilation video they were putting together. We started recording something low key but it quickly got out of hand and in true PCF fashion, became a big production in no time at all. A collective effort featuring some current members of The Parish Church Fire and some faces old and new, here is our version of the Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros classic 'Johnny Appleseed'

Sam Smith - Vocals, Guitar, Organ, Rhodes, Marimba, Handclaps
Lea Jones - Uke bass guitar
Dewi Wyn - Violin, Piano
Jimmy Hanley - Mandolin
Joe Roberts - Drums

Mixed & Mastered by Samuel Frankie James Smith

Johnny Appleseed

The Parish Church Fire are an Alternative Rock band from Manchester, UK fronted by Sam Smith. As loud as they are soft, the band have carved a unique dynamic with elements of heavy metal, trip hop, punk, jazz and blues. Comparable to Afghan Whigs, Radiohead & Pearl Jam

The Parish Church Fire

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