Wirral foursome, The Hot Melts have had an incredibly busy last 12 months. They've torn up and down the nation's motorways and are currently on tour with Eagles of Death Metal straight after returning from a fruitful SXSW. They've found success with two unique 50s influenced punk/rock singles and are now set to get even busier, with the news that the band are releasing their self-titled debut album on June 22nd . "The Hot Melts" will be preceded by third single 'Big Baby' out on June 15th, and is yet another Melts jukebox classic!
Will Bayliss (singer/songwriter), Jack Prince (drums), Jonny Green (guitar),and Jamie Otsa (bass) were the first British band to sign a worldwide deal with Epitaph Records' UK based imprint Wonderland Records, wooing the legendary punk label back in 2007 with their thrashy guitar driven pop. Shortly after label and band were united, The Melts flew out to Chicago to cut their debut with the help of Marc Mcclusky (Farewell, Hit The Lights), and landed back on this side of the pond with a 13 track masterpiece!
Tracklisting
1/ Edith
2/ Big baby
3/ My Sweetness Is Making Me Ill
4/ Fun
5/ 24
6/ (I Wish I Had) Never Been In Love
7/ Nana
8/ Happiness Is A Weakness
9/ Archie
10/ Shrink
11/ 'sless
12/ Depressed? Oh Yes
13/ God Will Drive My Hearse
With musical influences ranging from Weezer to Eddie Cochran, singer Will Bayliss also finds inspiration in Wes Anderson films, the laugh out loud comedy mixed with the underlying depression in his films are echoed throughout The Melts album. 'Happiness Is A Weakness' is a perfect example; an upbeat, chirpy track which opens with the lines 'I'm obsessed with sadness, I embrace the blues...'. Mixing cynical observations with the buoyant and cheery is also found in 'Fun' (a track about 'not having any'!). Upcoming single 'Big Baby' opens with a-Strokes alike riff, and pulls you in with its soaring harmonies and addictive hooks. All in all, this is a British gem of an album and not to be missed.
