We're not here for a nostalgic reunion," insists singerAbbo of seminal English post-punk band UK DECAY. The follow-up to their 1981 underground classic album,For Madmen Only, and all-time classic punk single "For My Country," the new album New Hope For The Dead picks up exactly where they left off. "The band somehow came back together after a long hiatus as we felt we had something to say about these times and put out music that is made of these times," he adds. New Hope For The Dead will be released on September 10, 2013 via Metropolis Records, original artwork by the contemporary Italian artist Franko B.
Produced by renowned Grammy-nominated producer, engineer, and mixer Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Depeche Mode, Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore and the now classic rock film "Anvil"), New Hope For The Dead is a heavy but sparse, angry yet poetic album, operating outside of any recognizable comfort zone. From the late '70s-infused punk anthem"Shake ‘em Up" to the reality punk life-threatening anthem about Detroit "This City is a Cage" to the organ and violin homage of "Drink," UK Decay have preserved their punk ethos for over three decades. "We created a scene that spurned a whole generation of bands and there have been three or four generations of music since we originally split up, but there is a vacuum in music of any comment or action in kicking against a word of apathy, discrimination and totalitarianism. We are no longer teenagers but we can still touch our toes and throw a hefty punch when needed," states Abbo.
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NEW HOPE FOR THE DEAD
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When asked how the world and politics has changed between For Madmen Only and today, Abbo responded: "Different issues within the same world order and a general confusion about the way ahead. I'm sitting here in Memphis with a beer in hand and some heavy blues kicking late into the night and seeing much evidence that all colours and creeds can share a drink, get on and enjoy life together. Let's be optimistic but also realistic in how to make things happen. I wish it were that simple for the rest of the world." Guitarist Steve Spon adds: "Much of the same with more detail. Greed based economics has increased, despite the threat of all out nuclear war diminishing the politics of fear has increased, despite rampant information communication, the politics of Orwell's 1984 has increased. Optimism is still on the back pedal for most." "In some ways we're back to the '80s in terms of free market aggression," adds drummer Raymondo. "In other ways, it has actually gotten worse with companies like Google and Amazon looking to take control over everything. I'd say politics on a national established scale is now a career for a small elite."
Following a brief stint as The Resiztors, Luton-based UK Decay was formed during the spring of 1979. From there, the band became illustrious in the late '70s – early '80s UK punk and underground scene and was one of the first bands to blur the lines around punk, UK Decay are credited with originating the term "gothic" in a now famous interview with the UK music paper Sounds.
In 1980, their anti-war single "For My Country" gained immediate airplay from BBC Radio's John Peel who later recorded two sessions for his legendary Peel Sessions. It spent months yo-yo-ing up and down the UK Indie Chart, followed with similar success by the single "Unexpected Guest." The band toured nonstop across the UK and Europe, including a five week US and Canadian tour with Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, DOA, with Cretin Chaos of Social Unrest playing bass. It was during this North American tour that their album For Madmen Only was written and recorded immediately on return to the UK with their new bassist Eddie "Twiggy" Branch. It was an immediate classic in the punk and emerging post-punk world.
UK Decay is Steve "Abbo" Abbot (vocals), Steve Spon (guitar), Eddy "Twiggy" Branch (bass), and Ray "Raymondo" Philpott (drums). New Hope For The Dead will be released on September 10, 2013.
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