Dead Naked Hippies: Rare – Single review

Dead Naked Hippies

Rare

DL

Out now

Self released

Louder than War’s Ioan Humphreys checks out the new single from noisy Leeds trio Dead Naked Hippies.

Rare is the ferocious new single from Leeds rock trio Dead Naked Hippies. The three-piece thrashed into life in late 2016 and I reviewed their debut single here for LTW around that time.

Since  their  inception,  they  have received  love  from  BBC Introducing,  KCRW  and  been  featured  by  DIY,  Clash,  DORK,  Metro, Louder Than War & PRS Magazine.  The  band  have  shared stages  with  the  likes  of  Dream Wife,  IDLES,  Queen Zee &  DZ  Deathrays  as  well  as  playing  to  a  sold  out  crowd  at  Live at  Leeds,  and  taking  on  the  Festival  Republic  stage  at  Leeds  Festival  2017.

Alongside  band  mates  Joe Clarke  (guitar)  and  Jacob Marston  (drums),  vocalist Lucy Jowett can  express  and  tackle  her  own  internal  issues, whilst Dead Naked Hippies  offer  a  space  for  others  to  do  the  same.  Rare was released on August 29^th and was produced  and mixed  by Matt  Peel  (Pulled  Apart  By  Horses,  Eagulls,  Menace  Beach) and mastered  by Robin  Schmidt (Placebo, Maximo  Park, Our  Girl).

This is Lucy expanding  more  on  the  band’s  mission,  and  where  latest  release  Rare fits  in:

“It  is  a  song  about  self  love.  I  think  we’re  quick  to  judge  the  term  &  deem  it  laughable  or  irrelevant  in  fear  of  being arrogant,  or  weird.  But  if  you  take  a  hard  look  at  the  society  we  live  in,  it’s  clear  to  see  why  so  many  people  struggle  to  feel  content  in  their  own  minds  and  their  own  bodies.  I’ve  always struggled  with  myself  and  it  sickens  me  to  think  that  so  many  other  people  feel  the  same.  It needs to change. We’re  used  by  advertising  companies,  so  they  can  make  money  out of  our  discontentment. Bombarded  with  images of  fake  realities,  only  to  make  us  feel  like  ours  isn’t  enough.  We’re  made  to  feel  like  our  creativity  and  passion  will  never  be  as  important  as  serving  a  functional  purpose  in  society.  It’s  dull,  boring  and  I’m  fucking  mad  about  it.  Most  importantly,  I  want  people  to  know  that  they’re  not  alone.”

Ok, back to the single and a gorgeous infectious bassy riff launches this track. Drums come in and it’s reminiscent of DFA’s throb. Jowett’s vocals start and they yelp and howl over the ensuing noise. You can immediately hear Jowett’s frustration, anger and passion in these opening seconds.

The chorus is joyously noisy and brilliantly sung by Jowett. This is when the three of them come together for that one unifying job. To make an almighty racket, yet one that has a beat and a punch the air refrain.

The breakdown half way gives some rest bite, until the band come back in with the drum and guitar combo that shreds with Jowett’s pained vocal delivery.

Rare is a promising start to their new campaign and one that leaves me wanting to hear more from the DNHs. Hopefully the follow ups will be in the same bouncy noisy vein as Rare and cement the sound of this talented and tight band.

Live dates:

SEPTEMBER

21st  Head  Of  Steam,  Newcastle

22nd  Reb’Elle  Festival,  Leeds  w/  Honeyblood

23rd  Sound  Food  +  Drink,  Liverpool

26th,  The  Hovel,  York  (live  session)

27th  The  Macbeth  of  Hoxton,  London  w/  Vulgarians

28th  The  West  End  Centre,  Aldershot

29th  Green  Door  Store,  Brighton  w/  PINS,  Sorry,  Black  Midi,  Drahla  +  more

OCTOBER

3rd  Pirate  Studios  Live  Stream,  London

13th  Twisterella  Festival,  Middlesbrough  w/  Boy  Azooga,  Estrons,  The  Blinders

20th  HERFest,  Brudenell  Social  Club,  Leeds  w/  Stealing  Sheep,  The  Tuts  + more

NOVEMBER

3rd  HERfest  Sheffield,  The  Leadmill,  Sheffield  w/  She  Drew  The  Gun

3rd,  2Q  Festival,  Lincoln  w/  Public  Service  Broadcasting

Dead Naked Hippies via their Instagram, Facebook and they tweet as @DeadNkdHippies

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Words by Ioan Humphreys. More writing by Ioan can be found at his author’s archive. You can also find him on Twitter at @ioan_humphreys.