Manchester underground stalwarts The Speed of Sound give us new 'Blood Sweat and Tears' with animated video

"Raw and edgy sound with guiding and invigorating sense of melody" ~ The Spill Magazine

“Unmistakeable sound a winning formula” ~ The Big Takeover

“A triumph of industry, imagination and talent, coolly novel and damned addictive”~ Louder Than War

‘Unique and other worldly” ~ Vive Le Rock

“A blend of disparate creative threads woven together into a cohesive and fantastic design" ~ The Swindonian

“A form of Art-Pop that is wry, incisive, yet a deeply listenable examination of post industrial culture” ~ Rock At Night

"A riotous maelstrom of musical mayhem” ~ The Manc Review

Manchester underground outfit The Speed Of Sound present 'Blood Sweat And Tears', the darkest song on their acclaimed 'Museum of Tomorrow' album; where buzzing fuzz guitar lines emerge from a delicate acoustic introduction to intersect with the crashing chords and the ‘bulbous pulsing’ rhythm section" (Record Collector Magazine).

'Blood Sweat And Tears' raises a punk rock fist of anger for the downtrodden at the structural economic forces that simultaneously drive high rents and low wages in the dystopian reality that is the 21st Century, where a living wage is insufficient to live.

This song represents a cry for humanity at the inhumanity of corporate indifference. Protest is never useless. In the video, a dreamlike high street shopping scene forms the visual backdrop, where people are recast as mere consumers and resources to be exploited.

Hailing from Manchester, The Speed Of Sound's music is optimistic, but with lyrical bite, a punk-inspired DIY ethos and lust for experimentation rooted in psychedelia. Formed in 1989 with a pre-history dating back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987, The Speed of Sound lies deep below the ‘music industry radar’, allowing for the evolution of their own distinctive sound and live act.

The Speed of Sound is made up of father and son John Armstrong (guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong (keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar) and John Broadhurst (drums).

'Museum of Tomorrow' is out now via Big Stir Records. Released 32 years to the day when the band's debut EP saw the light of day in 1989, the new LP is available digitally, on CD and limited-edition 170g heavy weight vinyl (black and colour). Find the album on Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp and Big Stir's website.

CREDITS
Written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Recorded at Vibratone Sound Studio, Manchester
Engineered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest
Mixed By Adam Crossley, Chris Guest and The Speed Of Sound
Mastered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest at Vibratone Sound Studio
Sleeve front / Artwork by Local Hotel Parking
Keep up with The Speed of Sound
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Big Stir Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Mixcloud | YouTube

3+ decades in, UK underground icons The Speed of Sound present 'Last Orders' from the 'Museum of Tomorrow' LP

"Their creative explosion is definitely worth it... The Speed of Sound are experts in balancing a raw and edgy sound with a guiding and invigorating sense of melody" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Not a band to be mistaken for any other, The B-52s would perhaps come closer or perhaps another jolty post-punk outfit some of you may already know – Pylon. The parallels are there, but this music is new and welcome" ~ Post-Punk.com

“New Wave blood, powered by a heartbeat of 1960’s influences” ~ Louder Than War

"The thoughtfulness that goes into The Speed of Sound’s lyrics and music is precious. Unmistakable sound... a winning formula" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

“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

“Moody and intense, yet light and floating at the same time” ~ There Once Was A Note

Power pop / indie rock collective The Speed Of Sound present 'Last Orders', hot on trail of revealing the single 'Opium Eyes' and 'Tomorrow's World' from their Future-Retro-Modernist long-player 'Museum of Tomorrow'. 32 years to the day when the band's debut EP saw the light of day in 1989, they've released this album on CD and Deluxe LP via California-based Big Stir Records.

Hailing from Manchester, The Speed Of Sound's music is optimistic, but with lyrical bite, a punk-inspired DIY ethos and lust for experimentation rooted in psychedelia. Formed in 1989 with a pre-history dating back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987, The Speed of Sound lies deep below the ‘music industry radar’, allowing for the evolution of their own distinctive sound and live act.

The band, as it exists today, is made up of father and son John Armstrong (guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong (keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar) and John Broadhurst (drums).

"At first, 'Last Orders' sounds like its a drinking song about getting a round in before the bar closes, but I was at the Stasi (the old East German secret police) Museum in Berlin and that got me thinking about the night the Berlin Wall came down and them furious shredding documents despite the State having collapsed and their job no longer having a purpose. That led me on to the Japanese soldiers in the mid 1970’s that were still unaware World War 2 had ended. The military has a concept of continuing with orders until new instructions are received. So Last Orders is about actual last orders. But then again, it could be a drinking song," says John Armstrong.

"It is tripped-down and acoustic guitar-led, with additional backing vocals recorded individually around the world. Featuring a representative for every continent on the planet and assembled in a virtual room (Abbey Road Studio 3) to create a universal reverb and the sense of togetherness. An intercontinental night out in a pandemic. Come on, it's last orders."

'The Museum of Tomorrow' is an exhilarating nonstop sensory indulgence. A low-altitude magic carpet ride at breakneck speed over the insanity of the early 21st century, drenched in Science-Fiction and retro-futurist infused imagery and themes. Despite some dark subject matter, the lyrics are playful and as bright as coloured vinyl. This is the Museum Of Tomorrow - not a mere time-capsule or bleak survey of dystopian protest themes, but an immersive experience. Drunk with richness it hurtles on, twisting its many turns with subtlety; exhibiting mood, style and pace variance. The trajectory is laid in and the thrusters fire.

While The Speed of Sound has released eight singles via Big Stir Records, 'Museum of Tomorrow' is an all-new experience, each song being single-worthy. Conceived as two seamless sides, the vinyl edition was mastered as two extended pieces - 'Gallery One' and 'Gallery Two'. Korg synthesizer lines, reminiscent of classic Science Fiction incidental music, link the gapless songs.

This music has a definite 60’s influence but with an 80’s twist. With both female and male vocals, their sound is influenced by The Byrds, Small Faces, The Chords, Siouxsie & The Banshees and XTC. Merging the power of punk with floating harmonies, their sit tight between Sonic Youth and Dusty Springfield.

Released on September 17, the 'Museum of Tomorrow' LP is out now digitally, as well as on CD and limited-edition 170g heavy weight vinyl (on black and glorious colour). Vinyl features a 16-page full-colour A5 printed Exhibition Guide containing lyrics, full-colour inner sleeve, a separate picture insert, a sticker, a pair of badges/buttons and a bookmark. Apart from platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, the LP can be ordered via Big Stir's website or Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Recorded at Vibratone Sound Studio, Manchester
Engineered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest
Mixed By Adam Crossley, Chris Guest and The Speed Of Sound
Mastered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest at Vibratone Sound Studio
Sleeve front / Artwork by Local Hotel Parking

Keep up with The Speed of Sound
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Big Stir Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Mixcloud | YouTube

UK power pop veterans The Speed of Sound release 'Museum of Tomorrow' LP, a sign of future times

"Their creative explosion is definitely worth it... The Speed of Sound are experts in balancing a raw and edgy sound with a guiding and invigorating sense of melody" ~ The Spill Magazine

“New Wave blood, powered by a heartbeat of 1960’s influences” ~ Louder Than War

"The thoughtfulness that goes into The Speed of Sound’s lyrics and music is precious. Unmistakable sound... a winning formula" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

“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

“Moody and intense, yet light and floating at the same time” ~ There Once Was A Note

Manchester-based indie rock stalwarts The Speed Of Sound unfurl their Future-Retro-Modernist flag and plant it firmly atop their ambitious (and fifth) full length album 'Museum of Tomorrow'. 32 years to the day when the band's debut EP saw the light of day in 1989, they will release this on CD and Deluxe LP via California's Big Stir Records.

The Speed Of Sound's music is optimistic and with lyrical bite, a punk-inspired DIY ethos and lust for experimentation rooted in psychedelia. Formed in 1989 with a pre-history dating back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987, The Speed of Sound lies deep below the ‘music industry radar’, allowing for the evolution of their own distinctive sound and live act.

The line-up has changed over the years and today consists of father and son John Armstrong (guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong (keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar) and John Broadhurst(drums).

'The Museum of Tomorrow' is an exhilarating nonstop sensory indulgence. A low-altitude magic carpet ride at breakneck speed over the insanity of the early 21st century, drenched in Science-Fiction and retro-futurist infused imagery and themes. Despite some dark subject matter, the lyrics are playful and as bright as coloured vinyl. This is the Museum Of Tomorrow - not a mere time-capsule or bleak survey of dystopian protest themes, but an immersive experience. Drunk with richness it hurtles on, twisting its many turns with subtlety; exhibiting mood, style and pace variance. The trajectory is laid in and the thrusters fire.

Earlier, the band previewed the lead track 'Tomorrow's World', highlighting how the entire 21st century was mis-sold - a cry of anguish and a re-statement of what should have been.

While The Speed of Sound has already released eight singles via Big Stir Records, 'Museum of Tomorrow' is an all-new experience, each song being single-worthy. Conceived as two seamless sides, the vinyl edition was mastered as two extended pieces - 'Gallery One' and 'Gallery Two'. Korg synthesizer lines, reminiscent of classic Science Fiction incidental music, link the gapless songs.

This is future retro modern music, having a definite 60’s influence but with an 80’s twist. With both female and male vocals, their sound is influenced by The Byrds, Small Faces, The Chords, Siouxsie & The Banshees and XTC. Merging the power of punk with floating harmonies, their sound and alphabetical order places them between Sonic Youth and Dusty Springfield.

On September 17, the 'Museum of Tomorrow' LP will be released digitally, on CD and limited-edition 170g heavy weight vinyl with a choice between black and glorious colour. Vinyl orders include a 16-page full-colour A5 printed Exhibition Guide containing lyrics, full-colour inner sleeve, a separate picture insert, a sticker, a pair of badges/buttons and a bookmark. Apart from platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, the LP can be ordered via Big Stir's website.

CREDITS
Written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Recorded at Vibratone Sound Studio, Manchester
Engineered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest
Mixed By Adam Crossley, Chris Guest and The Speed Of Sound
Mastered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest at Vibratone Sound Studio
Sleeve front / Artwork by Local Hotel Parking
Keep up with The Speed of Sound
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Big Stir Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Mixcloud | YouTube

Manchester's THE SPEED OF SOUND announces 'Museum of Tomorrow' LP, preview 'Tomorrow's World'

"The thoughtfulness that goes into The Speed of Sound’s lyrics and music is precious. Unmistakable sound... a winning formula" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

“New Wave blood, powered by a heartbeat of 1960’s influences” ~ Louder Than War

“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

“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

British underground music veterans The Speed Of Sound have announced the autumn release of their fifth studio album 'Museum of Tomorrow', to be issued on CD and Deluxe LP via California's Big Stir Records, 32 years to the day the band released their debut EP back in 1989.

Ahead of this, the band reveal the lead track 'Tomorrow's World' as a sweet taster of what's in store for listeners, along with an animated video. The entire 21st century seems to have been mis-sold. This song is a cry of anguish and a re-statement of what should have been. Twelve multilayered synthesizer tracks recreate a flying saucer landing at the end and the ultra-depth in the sound is from bowed bass on the verse-ends and pre-chorus.

From the opening line “We were offered Star Trek, but they fed us Soylent Green” - which is etched into the vinyl - science fiction abounds within the music, positioning The Now simultaneously in the Future and in the Past. We all exist on the edge of forever.

Conceived as two seamless sides, the vinyl edition of this record was mastered as two complete extended pieces: Gallery One and Gallery Two. Korg synthesiser lines, reminiscent of classic Science Fiction incidental music and sound-collages, link the gapless songs.

To date, The Speed of Sound has released eight singles via Big Stir, but 'Museum of Tomorrow' is an all-new experience. While each of these 13 new songs could have been a single, they are gathered in an organically homogeneous collection, showcased within the 'Museum Of Tomorrow'. This is an album made manifest by and for people who like albums.

This is future retro modern music, rooted in a definite 60’s influence but with an 80’s twist. Influenced by The Byrds, Small Faces, The Chords, Siouxsie & The Banshees and XTC, with female and male vocals, The Speed Of Sound merges the power of punk with the floating harmonies of The Byrds. Their sound and alphabetical order places them between Sonic Youth and Dusty Springfield.

The Speed Of Sound formed in Manchester in 1989 with a pre-history dating directly back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987. Dwelling deep below the ‘music industry radar’ has allowed for the evolution of their own distinct sound, their live act often described totally differently with comparisons from The Stranglers and Television to Jefferson Airplane and The Who.

The Speed Of Sound has continuously produced music that is optimistic and with lyrical bite, a punk-inspired DIY ethos and lust for experimentation rooted in psychedelia. While players have come and gone, the current lineup has largely been the same for four years, including father and son John Armstrong (guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong (keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar) and John Broadhurst (drums).

'Tomorrow's World' is out on August 14 and will be available via Apple Music and Spotify. On September 17, the 'Museum of Tomorrow' LP will be released digitally, on CD and limited-edition 170g heavy weight vinyl with a choice between black and glorious colour. Vinyl orders include a 16-page full-colour A5 printed Exhibition Guide containing lyrics, full-colour inner sleeve, a separate picture insert, a sticker, a pair of badges/buttons and a bookmark. The album can already be pre-ordered in all formats from Big Stir Records' site.

CREDITS
Written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Recorded at Vibratone Sound Studio, Manchester
Engineered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest
Mixed By Adam Crossley, Chris Guest and The Speed Of Sound
Mastered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest at Vibratone Sound Studio
Sleeve front / Artwork by Local Hotel Parking


Keep up with The Speed of Sound
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Big Stir Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Mixcloud | YouTube