Melt Yourself Down. “Boot & Spleen”. We bloody love this….punchy, punky, as infectious as scabies, ear-worm of a summer sunshine smash (or it should be!).
Music Republic Magazine’s single of the month – if we had such an accolade, that is! OK, we do now. “Boot & Spleen” christens it…
As they sign a major deal with Decca Records, London six-piece Melt Yourself Down share their marvellous new single “Boot and Spleen,” released today (out on 17th July). The band are due to play an intimate show at The Lexington in London tonight (17/7/19) too.
Inspired by the dark history of British colonialism in India, the lyrics to “Boot & Spleen” asks the question: “What is it to be British? What’s that identity now, in 2019? What sort of behaviours are allowed towards minorities, or from minorities towards the majority?” There’s no simple answer to those questions, but Melt Yourself Down ignite debate by asking them.
Founded by sax innovator Pete Wareham and fronted by lead vocalist Kush Gaya, they play into a great tradition of British insurgents that spans decades and genres, from the Sex Pistols to Radiohead, and from Kate Tempest to Young Fathers. Yet the band’s lineage is also connected to jazz’s rich history of “sticking a middle finger to The Man.”
“Jazz was the wild, dirty music of the 20s, 30s,” says Kush. “It was not a sit down, polite, experience.” Pete adds: “I love jazz best when it feels dangerous.” Working with production legends Youth and Ben Hillier, the band have re-imagined their signature sound- with added synths, anthems and epic joyrides.
“So much has changed in the world since we started writing in 2016” says Pete. “We couldn’t ignore any of it, and this new music is borne from our feelings of cultural restlessness in this constantly shifting global climate”.
The full line-up is:
Pete Wareham (saxophone)
Kushal Gaya (vocals)
Ruth Goller (bass)
Satin Singh (percussion)
Adam Betts (drums)
George Crowley (saxophone)
Melt Yourself Down have dropped two critically-lauded albums to date, showcasing the prolific talents of saxophonist Pete Wareham, they rose from the ashes of his previous outfit Acoustic Ladyland, and from everything he learned with Polar Bear. Their track, “Jump The Fire” is the soundtrack for the BT Sport TV ad’.
Photo credit: Fabrice Bourgelle / Designer: Amesh Wijesekera
