DEAD FREIGHTS – BLITZED TOWN BOP – SINGLE RELEASE

“It’s incredible to see them produce such a polished piece of work that gives the sensation it took hours-upon-hours to perfect.”

5/5

I always find you tend to fight the corner for bands and artists from your home city, but for me this more than that. Dead Freights have been a gateway into a far wider music scene that’s spanned the country.

The music scene in Southampton has been growing, and I feel it’s currently in a fantastic situation, but for me Dead Freights have been at the centre of that.

As we sit here on the build up to Christmas, those gritty rock’n’rollers have released a special treat for their fans, particularly those whose roots emanate in the south coast.

Blitzed Town Bop is not only a love letter to Southampton, but it’s a love note to all run-down hometowns across the UK.

The trio of Charlie James (aka Charles Bueller) (Guitar and vocals), Louis Duarte (Drums) and Brogan Turner (Bass) return with their second of three singles in the lead up to their debut album, ‘Little Death Project’. The singles and album are being released on Gary Powell’s (The Libertines) label, 25 Hour Convenience Store.

Anyone who’s seen the band live over the past 3 or 4 years will be familiar with this track, it’s featured heavily and is one that their fanbase have been demanding since it’s injection into the live shows.

Recorded at Station 65 by Boof Tuesday, the studio version of the song has a different feel to the raw, dirty live versions. Opening with a staggered Duarte drumbeat combining with what sounds like a repeated crash on a cow bell.

This is when James’s vocals slide into action, they’re different to any song that’s come before. There’s a distorted feel to them; he channels his inner Julian Casablancas as he opens things.

“Fucking lemonade in lager and murder in eyes. It’s no wonder, there’s no wonder. Cull Brittania”

As the opening verse rolls on there’s another nod to their hometown and it’s maritime history

“There’s the rough, there’s the ships, there’s the anchor. Whether you want it or not’.

Turner’s Queens of the Stone Age style bass grips the backbone of the verse as they angrily storm into the chorus.

“Shit city rock. Blitzed town bop. Yeaaaaahh.”

James bellows as the chorus roars.

Ending the chorus, Charlie James continue to take centre stage as he plays a whining and electrifying guitar solo over the booming bass that Turner continues to churn out.

There’s a couple of fiery guitar solos that rip throughout the song, really elevating this to a new level. Accompanying this new track is a brand-new music video, produced by BAFTA award winner Peter Lydon. It showcases Dead Freights participating in a talent show, and many of their long-term supporters were invited to participate in the shoot.

This new single has a nice, polished sound to it. When I think of Dead Freights I think of a rough, gritty sound even in the studio. It’s incredible to see them produce such a polished piece of work that gives the sensation it took hours-upon-hours to perfect.

They’re not done yet, with one more single still to be released ahead of the album in the new year. This is very special, not just to me, but to their collective group of supporters. This small corner of the world hopes these new singles and album will put them on a new pedestal and bring their music to a new audience.

Sometimes a band you love releases a song that quietly reaffirms your love and affection for them. All their fans knew this was coming, but that doesn’t tarnish the song. Instead, it’s lived up to the expectation and proves it’s an exciting time ahead for anyone connected to Dead Freights.

Listen to ‘Blitz Town Bop‘ and watch the official music video here now.