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

UK Alt-Metal Unit VEXED Releases Exciting New Single + Music Video, “Misery”

Vicious Debut Album, Culling Culture, out May 21, 2021

Pre-Order NOW

“This is a must watch band of 2021.”

- KNOTFEST (US) -

“VEXED are a brute prog-deathcore hybrid that flattens everything - somewhere between Meshuggah, Periphery and Thy Art Is Murder. Fresh, emotional and extreme in every respect!”

- EMP (GER) -

“... a volatile and exciting prospect on the UK metal scene"

- ROCK SOUND (UK) -

“Anger and disgust may be the most relatable human emotion on the Earth right now, which VEXED bottled, distilled and consumed undiluted at casket strength potency..."

- LOUDWIRE (US) -

Fast-rising UK based upstarts VEXED have been checking off boxes as the next big name in aggressive-yet-progressive modern metal, and have just released one of their most ruthless offerings yet: the gut-punching, absorbing third single “Misery”. The standout single is cut from the band’s upcoming album, Culling Culture, out May 21 via Napalm Records.

On their third offering, the four-piece fluctuates between grooving, ethereal leads and destructive, airtight riffs, technically adept drumming and vocalist Megan Targett’s undeniably dynamic, haunting vocal power. As their new music video clearly refers to absolution via its striking visual content, the track’s lyrics reflect a reckoning with the past, mirroring the intensely personal themes of the upcoming album.

VEXED on the new single:

“Anxiety is a demon powerful enough to posses anyone and can leave the strongest of us feeling helpless. “Misery” is an inner monologue of an anxiety riddled mind constantly overanalysing and catastrophising. Taking inspiration from a spectrum of genres, this track is a true musical representation of how drastically our thoughts can change from one moment to the next, often ending in confusion and “Misery”.”

Pre-Order VEXED’s debut album Culling Culture NOW!

Facing very personal experiences, Culling Culture is a tribute to hate, betrayal and anger, whilst also reflecting post-modern society with strikingly honest songwriting and heavy groove. Moreover, for as confident as they are musically, VEXED is as poignant lyrically. The title of the album, Culling Culture, and portions of its contents deliver the band’s unfiltered response to the world’s latest social phenomena of public ostracism, “cancel culture”.

Unrelenting lead vocalist Megan Targett’s vicious vocal assault blending venomously low growls, soaring cleans and razor-sharp rap-like deliveries (see “Fake” and “Weaponise”) is backed by the pure technical proficiency of bandmates Willem Mason-Geraghty (drums), Jay Bacon (guitar) and Al Harper (bass). The warning instrumental “Ignorant” prefaces the record’s menacing atmosphere and provides a flawless basis for smashing wake up call “Hideous” and fiery, threatening tracks “Fake” and “Narcissist”. Ghostly “Aurora” and disrespectfully heavy album-closer “Lazarus” showcase Targett’s multi-faceted clean vocal delivery while clashing otherworldly auras with resonating, melodic rhythms. “Epiphany” blends both, offering a bold message of moving past self-loathing, while superciliously weighty offering “Weaponise” seethes between violent hatred and ambient darkness.

Culling Culture will be available in the following formats:

-1-CD Digipak

-1-LP Gatefold Vinyl BLACK

-1-LP Gatefold Vinyl ORANGE TRANSPARENT (strictly limited to 100 copies)

-Digital Album

[1-LP Gatefold Vinyl ORANGE TRANSPARENT (strictly limited to 100 copies)]

VEXED are:

Megan Targett - vocals

Jay Bacon - guitar

Willem Mason-Geraghty - drums

Al Harper - bass

THUNDER ANNOUNCE ‘ALL THE RIGHT NOISES’ TV SPECIAL

ONLINE SHOW FEATURES LIVE PERFORMANCES AND Q&A
March 13th and 14th 2021
Only accessible for 48 hours

FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE NEW ALBUM ‘ALL THE RIGHT NOISES’
OUT MARCH 12TH 2021 ON BMG

Thunder have announced an online TV special, where they will exclusively perform tracks from their forthcoming album ‘All The Right Noises’, as well as some of their classic hits from years gone by.

The show will take place at 2:00 P.M Eastern U.S Time on Saturday, March 13th 2021 and will be streamed for 48 hours afterwards, enabling ticket buyers to watch as many times as they like during that period.

The live studio performance will be filmed with adherence to Covid-19 restrictions, and will feature collaborators who played and sang on ‘All The Right Noises’.

Singer, Danny Bowes says of the forthcoming show, "As soon as we made the announcement to move our arena shows back to 2022, we decided we can't wait until then to play the new tunes. Fans have been asking us for a streamed gig since the first lock down began, but we've resisted until now, because it can't be a proper Thunder live show without them in the room. The format we've come up with will involve our fan club members via video for some of it, so they'll see us performing, and get to ask us questions too. It's not the same as a live show, but it's not meant to be. When the show goes out, we're hoping it'll feel less like a gig, and more like a TV show, with us playing these brilliant new tunes, and loads of screaming nutters in their front rooms. What can go wrong?"

For tickets & full info on how to watch, visit: https://thunderband.lnk.to/TVspecialPR

Thunder Channel (Patreon) fanclub members will also be given exclusive access to watch sections of the filming as it takes place, and take part in a Q&A session with the band via video.

Thunder will release their brand new album, ‘All The Right Noises’ on Friday, March,12th 2021 on BMG.

The album is a return to the full-throttle sound of Thunder that has seen them create a hugely successful 30+ year career at the forefront of British rock.

Listen to the most recent single released from the album, ‘Going to Sin City’, HERE.