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 29th 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.
