BABYSHAMBLES – DANDY HOOLIGAN – SINGLE REVIEW

Following the eagerly anticipated announcement of a Babyshambles reunion, the band have released their first music for 12 years.

‘Dandy Hooligan’ is a song that frontman Peter Doherty has had in his back pocket for a while now, getting the occasional run out at his solo live shows. It appears to have been given the Babyshambles touch-up it deserves.

The band officially announced their reunion on 1 st September, accompanied by a UK tour, all in aid of the 20 th anniversary of their debut album ‘Down in Albion’.

The current lineup consists of Peter Doherty (Vocals and guitar), Mick Whitnall (Guitar), Drew McConnell (Bass and backing vocals) and Adam Ficek (Drums).

The song was played on BBC Radio 6’s Craig Charles show on 4th November and followed up with mailing list access to the video for their subscribers.

The song will be on all streaming platforms on 5 th November.

‘Dandy Hooligan’ feels like a traditional Babyshambles hit featuring a ska intro. A brass section takes centre stage before the bluesy bassline meets a choppy rhythm guitar played on an offbeat.

It feels like they’ve never been away, as the tight unit make their way through this track. The riff locks with the drums to create a call-and-response style musical accompaniment.

The lyrical content of the track explores themes of a reformed hooligan. As with any Doherty song the lyricism is poetic and effective, painting a picture of the man he is describing. “He’s rude in temper, rude in style” and “He robs from the rich, gives to his wardrobe”.

The video begins a typewritten note reading “Mod-ism….an aphorism for clean living under difficult circumstances” attributed to Peter Meaden, the first manager of The Who and a man often referred to as ‘Mod God’.

The video then fades into blinking lights exposing images of the Jam, Lambretta bodywork and West Ham United programmes among other mod, football and music paraphernalia. It continues to depict a well-dressed man getting ready and taking on the streets of East London.

Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnel features prominently in the video. It shows the depicted ‘hooligan’ go about his day, seemingly performing good deeds as Doherty sings “He never punches down”.

The 20 th anniversary of ‘Down in Albion’ see’s Babyshambles re-release said album with a new cover that features the late Patrick Walden, who’s guitar work is instrumental in the record. It will feature 5 previously unheard songs.

The Babyshambles ‘Dandy Hooligan Tour’ begins next week, following warm up shows in Hastings and Southampton. The tour takes place at the dates below:
 Thu 13 Nov – Coventry, HMV Empire
 Fri 14 Nov – Norwich, The Nick Rayns LCR
 Sun 16 Nov – London, O2 Academy Brixton
 Mon 24 Nov – Oxford, O2 Academy
 Tue 25 Nov – Stoke, Keele SU
 Wed 26 Nov – Birmingham, O2 Academy
 Thu 27 Nov – Cardiff, Tramshed
 Sat 29 Nov – Liverpool, Mountford Hall
 Sun 30 Nov – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
 Mon 1 Dec – Middlesborough, Empire
 Tue 2 Dec – Newcastle, O2 City Hall
 Thu 4 Dec – Glasgow, O2 Academy
 Fri 5 Dec – Glasgow, O2 Academy
 Sun 7 Dec – Leeds, O2 Academy
 Mon 8 Dec – Nottingham, Rock City
 Tue 9 Dec – Bristol, O2 Academy
 Mon 15 Dec, London, Koko (Rescheduled date)

Dandy Hooligan was recorded in Normandy and Manchester earlier this month and produced by Mike Moore (Baxter Drury) and mixed by Ross Orton (Arctic Monkeys / M.I.A / The Fall) in Sheffield. The video features the Dandy Hooligan himself, Bob Morris, and was filmed in Soho by Roger Sargent.

Watch the official music video here now.