The Speed Of Sound
Glide On By
Big Stir Records/Be Records
26 June 2020
Now in their 4th decade, Manchester UK’s underground alternative rock veterans The Speed Of Sound return with their new single recorded just before lockdown, jointly issued on Californian label Big Stir Records in Burbank LA and their own Be Records. A new, fresh slice of their own distinctive, distilled, deeply recognisable tones:
Glide On By is very much a song for the 21st Century: Delving into personal separation from external events, while socially contracting and disappearing into inner and outer space, putting the life setting onto ‘stunned’ and floating through the universe on non-powered flight, generating a feeling of isolation from the rest of humanity; evolving, becoming something new, like the baby-in-a-bubble in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Also, it kicks. Big time.
Immersive and absorbing, literary and articulate, possessing what German counter-cultural icon and DJ Lord Litter described as ‘a naturally snarling kiss my arse attitude’ The Speed Of Sound has been a presence in the music underground for over thirty years, as an artistic hub; hosting visiting bands from across Europe as well as the UK. Throughout that time they have always had something to say, laced with positivity and empowerment. Imagine Debbie Harry & Lou Reed fronting The Who and Television at the same time, marinading experience into an evolving sound for The Now.
“New Wave Post-Punk blood, powered by a heartbeat of 1960’s influences” – Louder Than War
“Moody and intense, yet light and floating at the same time” – There Once Was A Note
“A cool mix of punk and The Byrds 5th Dimension LP” – Lord Litter
“Balancing spiky abrasiveness with a strong sense of melody” – Bliss/Aquamarine
“Distinctive traces of New York Art Rock and No Wave, often verging on the experimental and psychedelic while never losing its melody and infections catchiness” – Sounds
The Speed Of Sound are:
John Armstrong – Songwriting/Guitars/Vocals: JohnA has developed a vivid style of guitar playing borne of combining rhythm and lead techniques in a flow that pulls the music like a tide steeped in unresolved chords and entrancing vocals.
Ann-Marie Crowley – Vocals/Guitars: Ann-Marie provides the trademark dual lead vocals and male/female harmonies and has vast experience of Irish, folk and also classical singing.
Kevin Roache – Bass guitar: Kevin brings a wide understanding of playing differing genre’s including music of Indian origin, he has a highly individual outlook on the bass.
John Broadhurst – Drums: JohnB has a wealth of skills including jazz, pop, rock and blues and has an ability to play with the spaces, the freedom of playing originals is liberating while the fluid and improvisational sections are something he embraces.
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Big Stir Records : https://www.bigstirrecords.
CREDITS:
Recorded mixed and mastered by long term The Speed Of Sound collaborators Vibratone Sound Studio Manchester, at Vibratone’s new, superbly equipped and purpose built recording studio. Open in Manchester since 2018; Vibratone previously booked time at external facilities such as the (internationally renowned within the post-punk world) former Cargo Studio in Rochdale; Vibratone are unobtrusively making a name for themselves among Manchester underground musicians and have worked with The Speed Of Sound since their Everything Changes album recorded in 2015.
Sleeve art by LocalHotelParking, another long term collaboration starting with The Speed Of Sound’s 30th Anniversary CD sleeve, hand cut analogue collages, already working on commissions the art for future The Speed Of Sound releases.
Video production by Nikos Pavlou, another long term collaborator, originally from Greece and heavily involved in the local music scene there, Nikos works in production and live sound as well as video and previously created the video for The Speed Of Sound’s 2016 release the Moment Is Now.
High Violet PR
