Liverpool's THE ROOM takes on internet trolls in 'Crying Face', the latest taste of their 'Restless Fate' LP - first recordings in 38 years

May 5, 2023

"A band who have a genuine need to create art, they create literate, film-like songs aimed as much at the mind as the feet. They are not looking back to past glories at all, but looking forward to future ones. In Restless Fate, they have already found one" ~ Louder Than War

"The Room may have sprung from the time of Josef K, The Fall and Magazine but they fit right in with bands like Home Counties and The Cool Greenhouse. The mix of the tuneful with the dissonant, the coolly delivered lyrics and the impeccable production" ~ Joyzine

"There is still a whiff of the Liverpool of their formative years, a Bunnymen-infused, indie eclecticism, but they sound nothing but of the here-and-now, a heady blend of left-field pop and a progressive post-punk poise for the discerning, contemporary alt-pop picker" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

Liverpool indie rock / postpunk outfit The Room presents 'Crying Face', the third single from their 'Restless Fate' album, the first new recordings in 38 years from these John Peel favourites, whose origin dates back to 1979.

Formed by singer Dave Jackson and bassist Becky Stringer in the golden years of northern English postpunk, the band is now back, joined by their original drummer Clive Thomas (replacing Tom McCabe), along with guitarist Darren Brown and keyboardist Ethan Kyme.

"Crying Face concerns that pesky phenomenon - the social media troll. A drunken Travis Bickle of the inter-web, whose inability to socialise without getting in a temper tantrum has reduced him to scrolling through others’ accounts to leave inflammatory comments under assumed names. He might be glowering into his computer screen at something you’ve posted, right now, vein pulsing in a furrowed brow," says Dave Jackson.

Recorded and mixed at Ark Studios in Liverpool and released via 9x9 Records, this album was co-produced by Dave Jackson and Steve Powell (Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band, Autour De Lucie, Echo & The Bunnymen).

Earlier, the band introduced two singles - 'The Drift' and 'Sleepless', a song inspired by the modern-day phenomenon of internet addiction, social media and news junkies. Producer Mark Jordan, who created the videos for all three singles, says, "This new video is a tribute to Facebook trolls. Usually with an over exaggerated opinion of themselves. Whipping up the audience like the angry villagers with their burning torches and pitchforks when in reality the monster is their own reflection."

‘Restless Fate’ picks up where the band left off. At times shimmering, at times haunting, their melodic blend of progressive, alternative pop and sultry post-punk is just as relevant and captivating now as when they broke up in 1985. An exploration of man’s search for meaning and the dysfunction of the human condition, there is still a relentless optimism at the core of this record.

"It's great to revisit old stuff, but writing new songs as The Room is where the excitement really lies. New Dreams from an island cursed by Restless Fate," says Dave Jackson.

The Room recorded four John Peel sessions, appeared on The Whistle Test and worked with Television's Tom Verlaine and John Porter (Roxy Music, The Smiths, Billy Bragg) on their 'In Evil Hour' LP (1984). Recordings from Janice Long's BBC Radio One programme and Saturday Live were used for the 1985 release 'Jackpot Jack' EP. 2004 brought their 'No Dream (Best Of)' compilation, followed by 2005's 'Indoor Fireworks' LP, which was actually recorded in 1982.

Apart from touring the UK and the USA, The Room has also performed with The Fall, The Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Southern Death Cult, Violent Femmes, Tom Verlaine, John Foxx and The Red Guitars.

Following the band's split, Becky and Dave went on to form several other bands: Benny Profane, Dust and Dead Cowboys. Dave has also recorded under his own name and, most recently, he issued a string of releases as The Room in the Wood (with Paul Cavanagh).

The 'Restless Fate' album is out now, available digitally across fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon. It can also be obtained on CD and as a vinyl record via Liverpool-based 9x9 Records.

CREDITS
Written by Dave Jackson, Darren Brown, Becky Stringer, Ethan Kyme
Recorded at Ark Studios, Liverpool
Recorded and mixed by Steve Powell
Produced by Steve Powell and The Room
Dave Jackson - vocals
Becky Stringer -bass
Darren Brown - guitar
Ethan Kyme - keyboards
Tom McCabe - drums
Released on Liverpool's 9x9 Records
'The Drift' video created by Mark Jordan

Liverpool'S THE ROOM presents 'Sleepless', a tale of internet addiction from 'Restless Fate' LP, their first recordings in 38 years

March 21, 2023

"A band who have a genuine need to create art, they create literate, film-like songs aimed as much at the mind as the feet. They are not looking back to past glories at all, but looking forward to future ones. In Restless Fate, they have already found one" ~ Louder Than War

Liverpool's The Room presents 'Sleepless', a song inspired by the modern-day phenomenon of internet addiction, social media and news junkies. Following lead track 'The Drift', this is the latest offering from their 'Restless Fate' LP, the band's first new recordings in 38 years. Producer Mark Jordan has also created accompanying videos for both singles.

Originally formed by singer Dave Jackson and bassist Becky Stringer in 1979, they are once again joined by the band's original drummer Clive Thomas, as well as guitarist Darren Brown, keyboardist Ethan Kyme and drummer Tom McCabe.

Recorded and mixed at Ark Studios in Liverpool and released on 9x9 Records, this album was co-produced by Dave Jackson and Steve Powell (Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band, Autour De Lucie, Echo & The Bunnymen).

‘Restless Fate’ picks up where the band left off. At times shimmering, at times haunting, their melodic blend of progressive, alternative pop and sultry post-punk is just as relevant and captivating now as when they broke up in 1985. An exploration of man’s search for meaning and the dysfunction of the human condition, there is still a relentless optimism at the core of this record.

The Room recorded four John Peel sessions, appeared on The Whistle Test and worked with Television's Tom Verlaine and John Porter (Roxy Music, The Smiths, Billy Bragg) on their 'In Evil Hour' LP (1984). Recordings from Janice Long's BBC Radio One programme and Saturday Live were used for the 1985 release 'Jackpot Jack' EP. 2004 brought their 'No Dream (Best Of)' compilation, followed by 2005's 'Indoor Fireworks' LP, which was actually recorded in 1982.

Having toured the UK and the USA, The Room has also performed with The Fall, The Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Southern Death Cult, Violent Femmes, Tom Verlaine, John Foxx and The Red Guitars.

Following the band's split, Becky and Dave went on to form several other bands: Benny Profane, Dust and Dead Cowboys. Dave has also recorded under his own name and, most recently, he issued a string of releases as The Room in the Wood (with Paul Cavanagh).

"It's great to revisit old stuff, but writing new songs as The Room is where the excitement really lies. New Dreams from an island cursed by Restless Fate," says Dave Jackson.

"'Sleepless' is about addiction to media that keeps us on our phones and obsessed by trivia. 'Red Admiral' is a reflection on childhood with an implied murder mystery hidden in the picture. 'Kingdom' is an atheists hymn. 'Crying Face' is about a Facebook troll I know. 'Bull in the Doorway' is about the paintings of Francis Bacon. 'Mirror World' is an oblique response to a misinformation in the media. 'Cursed Islands' is about an island off the coast of Napoli and also the redundant World Islands in Dubai. 'Time Comes' was another response to lockdown. 'The Reeds' is about a bereaved swan on Prince's Park Lake."

The 'Restless Fate' album is out now, available digitally across fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon. It can also be obtained on CD and as a vinyl record via Liverpool-based 9x9 Records.

CREDITS
Written by Dave Jackson, Darren Brown, Becky Stringer, Ethan Kyme
Recorded at Ark Studios, Liverpool
Recorded and mixed by Steve Powell
Produced by Steve Powell and The Room
Dave Jackson - vocals
Becky Stringer -bass
Darren Brown - guitar
Ethan Kyme - keyboards
Tom McCabe - drums
Released on Liverpool's 9x9 Records
'The Drift' video created by Mark Jordan

Liverpool indie rock outfit The Room reform after 38-year hiatus, releasing invigorating 'Restless Fate' LP

February 21, 2023

"A band who have a genuine need to create art, they create literate, film-like songs aimed as much at the mind as the feet. They are not looking back to past glories at all, but looking forward to future ones. In Restless Fate, they have already found one" ~ Louder Than War

After a lengthy hiatus, Liverpool post-punk / indie rock stalwarts The Room are back to release the first new music recorded in 38 years. Originally formed in 1979 by singer Dave Jackson and bassist Becky Stringer, their new 'Restless Fate' LP was recorded and mixed at Ark Studios in Liverpool. Co-produced by Steve Powell (Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band, Autour De Lucie, Echo & The Bunnymen), the album was released on 9x9 Records.

‘Restless Fate’ picks up where the band left off. At times shimmering, at times haunting, their melodic blend of progressive, alternative pop and sultry post-punk is just as relevant and captivating now as when they broke up in 1985. An exploration of man’s search for meaning and the dysfunction of the human condition, there is still a relentless optimism at the core of this record.

The Room also present the video for the album's lead single 'The Drift', created by Mark Jordan. Inspired by long peaceful walks during lockdown, contrasted with a sense of inevitable drifting apart and loss, Jackson reflects on how people come and go from our lives over the years in a beautiful melancholic tale of slow loss.

The Room earned the support of John Peel, with whom they recorded four sessions (Strange Fruit eventually released 'The Peel Session'), an appearance on 'The Whistle Test' show, and production support from Television's Tom Verlaine and John Porter (Roxy Music, The Smiths, Billy Bragg, Microdisney) on their 'In Evil Hour' LP (1984). Recordings from their two sessions for Janice Long's BBC Radio One programme and Saturday Live would be used for the band's final release while together - the 'Jackpot Jack' EP (1985). In 2004, the LTM label released the 'No Dream (Best Of)' compilation, followed by the 'Indoor Fireworks' LP, recorded in 1982 and released via Red Flame Records in 2005.

Past members include Robyn Oldlum, Clive Thomas, Alan Wills, Paul Cavanagh and Peter Baker. Having toured the UK and the USA, The Room has performed with The Fall, The Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Southern Death Cult, Violent Femmes, Tom Verlaine, John Foxx and The Red Guitars.

Following the band's split, Becky and Dave went on to form several other bands: Benny Profane, Dust and Dead Cowboys. Dave has also recorded under his own name and, most recently, he issued a string of releases as The Room in the Wood (with Paul Cavanagh).

Since lockdown, Dave and Becky reunited to record their new album under their original name, joined by guitarist Darren Brown, Becky's son Ethan Kyme on keyboards and drummer Tom McCabe.

"It's great to be working with Becky Stringer again and the infusion of new blood has produced an album we're proud of. Live reaction to the new songs has been amazing. A recent trip to Manila to perform old songs by The Room with Filipino musicians at Sneak Attack was the first time I'd sung them since 1985. It's great to revisit old stuff, but writing new songs as The Room is where the excitement really lies. New Dreams from an island cursed by Restless Fate," says Dave Jackson.

"'Sleepless' is about addiction to media that keeps us on our phones and obsessed by trivia. 'Red Admiral' is a reflection on childhood with an implied murder mystery hidden in the picture. 'Kingdom' is an atheists hymn. 'Crying Face' is about a Facebook troll I know. 'Bull in the Doorway' is about the paintings of Francis Bacon. 'Mirror World' is an oblique response to a misinformation in the media. 'Cursed Islands' is about an island off the coast of Napoli and also the redundant World Islands in Dubai. 'Time Comes' was another response to lockdown. 'The Reeds' is about a bereaved swan on Prince's Park Lake."

The 'Restless Fate' album is out now, available digitally across fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon. It can also be obtained on CD and as a vinyl record via Liverpool-based 9x9 Records.

CREDITS
Written by Dave Jackson, Darren Brown, Becky Stringer, Ethan Kyme
Recorded at Ark Studios, Liverpool
Recorded and mixed by Steve Powell
Produced by Steve Powell and The Room
Dave Jackson - vocals
Becky Stringer -bass
Darren Brown - guitar
Ethan Kyme - keyboards
Tom McCabe - drums
Released on Liverpool's 9x9 Records
'The Drift' video created by Mark Jordan