I’m slowly but surely picking away at the mountain of e-mails in my inbox. Despite the apparent wasteland that has seen empty streets over the last few months and kept people confined to barracks, this hasn’t meant a barren wasteland of new music being produced judging by the number of emails. 2020 has been a great year for new music so far from bands old and new.
So, I finally get round to picking up on the double A side released in mid-June by an old band, with a new line up.
Old Band, New Line Up
Releasing the first tracks since being joined by ex-Heavy Drapes/Baby’s Got a Gun pair Billy Duncanson and Richie Simpson following the tragic, untimely death of charismatic and inspiring frontman Garry Borland, The Godfathers revealed two new songs. I’m Not Your Slave and Wild & Free. It was no secret that the frontman, Peter Coyne, had a love for Heavy Drapes and was a bit of a mentor for Garry, so it was good to hear the fruits of the labours from the new line-up.
Glad to hear he of the polka dot shirt come to the fore on I’m Not Your Slave, Billy’s steady thumping beat the backdrop to the driving goth-like guitars and Coyne’s familiar gruff vocal backed by handclaps and a melodious refrain of hey’s and woo’s.
Wild & Free
If the lyrics of the first track suggest being set free, the theme is repeated and expounded in the second of the two songs. Musically, Wild & Free is a more straight up rock track, laden throughout with repetitive little hooks and riffs. The lyric here doesn’t hide Coyne’s well publicised thoughts on the future of his adopted homeland.
The 7” is available to pre-order now via The Godfathers website.
The last time I saw the band live was when they played a cracking and emotional Garry Borland tribute gig in Glasgow’s Audio. I look forward to seeing Billy and Richie return as part of The Godfathers. I’m sure it will be another emotional one, and Garry’s presence will be felt by all in attendance.