The Truth: REDTRACK consist of Billy Wright (guitar / vox), Phil Blake (bass / vox) and Andrew Perry (drums) and new boy Mitch Silvey (guitar / keys / vox). They come from Southend, their bass player has survived an attack with a meat cleaver, five minutes ago they were confirmed for the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading / Leeds Festival and on their new single they reckon they sound like a cross between Girls Aloud and The Clash.
In many ways ‘The Trier’ single captures the essence of REDTRACK’s smalltown-by-the-sea charm because it is terse and taut and pop-tastic and comes backed with the rousing romp of ‘Pretty Boy’, co-starring Hollyoaks’ Hollie-Jay Bowes. And, of course, these three chipper REDTRACK tracks will be available on bright red vinyl.
When they aren’t shaking their collective pop booty and hanging out with soap starlets you’ll find REDTRACK digging their very own new wave scene. So imminent debut album ‘Whole Town’s Heart’ (out on Label Fandango on September 7th) nods at the classic Britpopesque lineage running from the power trio jabs of The Jam to the melodic liberties taken by The Libertines, and listen closely and you’ll also hear echoes of the deadpan observations of Difford and Costello. Small wonder then that their punkoid peer Pete Shelley was so enamoured with REDTRACK that he co-produced (alongside Dave M Allen) last year’s single, ‘Poledancer’ / ‘Addicted To Love’ and REDTRACK will be touring with The Buzzcocks in September.
Not bad going when you consider that three years ago bassist Phil Blake was attacked with an airgun and a meat cleaver and so badly hurt that he needed microsurgery on severed tendons in his arm. That he is back playing is a testament to his spirit in the face of adversity, and seeing REDTRACK’s terrific live show you can see why his band mates downed instruments and waited for him to recover. But don’t just take our windswept word for it – get ready to see REDTRACK at one of these shows here…
JULY 16TH SOUTHEND Chinnerys (w/ The Baddies)
JULY 23RD ROCHESTER School For Girls (charity gig)
AUGUST 7TH CHELMSFORD Shakey’s Bar (w/ Bleech)
AUGUST 27TH / 28TH / 29TH READING / LEEDS FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 1ST LONDON Kentish Town Bull & Gate (reopening party w/ Pete & The Pirates)
SEPTEMBER 9TH DUNDEE Fat Sams (w/ The Buzzcocks)
SEPTEMBER 10TH EDINBURGH Liquid Rooms (w/ The Buzzcocks)
SEPTEMBER 11TH EXETER Ivy Live
OCTOBER 9TH OXFORD University
