Mick Kilbride was the inspiration for this E.P. and a fitting tribute it is for a life well lived but taken too young. The former Eddies guitarist had some rough ideas for a song which was re-worked and recorded on this E.P. to celebrate and recognise his role, not just with The Eddies, but to a wider audience as he was well known in the Punk scene.
It has taken some time to get it recorded but, I can say with some certainty, it has been worth the wait. The Eddies were simply too busy playing live to get time in the studio and this has worked to their advantage as they’ve honed the songs and regulars to their live sets have had the benefit of hearing the tracks prior to recording. The songs have evolved, grown, they’ve been born and will now be adopted by a wider audience and none better than at the E.P. launch at Rebellion Festival 2nd August when the E.P. will be unleashed.
Some bands are known for their songwriting and some for their blistering live performances, well here’s something you don’t hear every day, a band that actually pull off both. No one sets out to tame their live performance when they record in a studio, and it is very difficult to capture the essence of a performance on a wet Tuesday night or even a hot Saturday afternoon during a mixdown, but what The Eddies have managed to do is bring their hard-hitting melodic punk and captured it in a manner that gives that live feel and has you lacing up your DM’s looking for a gig!
The Eddies music is direct, it’s accessible. You don’t have to draw comparisons with other punk bands or genres, although they sound familiar, there’s no need to pigeonhole them as there are a maturity and originality to their music. So, don’t try to compare their sound as it’s fresh and hungry like music should be.
No Way – A well known live track that’s been in the set a while and gets the E.P. off to a flying start. The Powerful drums and edgy bass give a perfect platform to some energetic rhythm guitar that’s supplemented by the slick lead which runs throughout the song. The vocal delivery is cleaner and more precise on the recording than live versions of the song and that’s where the studio/live differences do come in. The singalong chorus is well worked and the opener has you hooked. This is one of my live favourites and I can now enjoy listening to it at home… as I lace up my DM’s!
My Game My Rules – Now, this is a new song. As far as I’m aware, it’s only been aired a few times live and carries on the great opener and moves up a gear. Similar EQ on this track but the backing vocals on this just endear the song more and this is furthered by the great bridge. There’s an antagonism to the song, a focus. It’s not arrogance but a confident delivery, one well engineered.
Nowhere – Yet another new song, this has a Ruts feel to it when the guitars come in (no comparisons eh!) but the “wooh oh’s” soon bring another dynamic. Some great lead work on the solo and the nihilistic lyrics are a subtle change from the two earlier tracks. I have heard this live and it was well received so it’s worthy of inclusion in this recording.
One of These Days – The third new song and if you thought there was any respite on this E.P. then no, deal with it. The Eddies make great punk rock songs that stick in your head and this one is no different. They have a process and a reason for what they do. It’s not hard to disseminate but that’s part of the beauty of it. Every different song I hear on this E.P. has me saying, this is my favourite. There’s not much between them.
Takin’ The Mick – The title track to the E.P. and some great chord chops start this song. This one is close to The Eddies heart as it has Mick’s influence all over it. What a fitting tribute and you really should see this one live. The band are full on as this is The Eddies at their best. Musically it shows everything they are about. The singalong chorus, great backing vocals and an ending that leaves you wanting more. Whether it’s the heavy drumming, the tight powerful bass, the rapier rhythm or the sliced lead guitar, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on this 5 track epic.
To summarise, this E.P. was necessary. It’s been cathartic for the band members to not only remember Mick but to celebrate his influence and have something tangible to remember him by. But it doesn’t stop there, The Eddies are long overdue some credit for plugging away for all these years with few recordings. This is a platform for them to showcase what’s possible.
The Eddies perform the E.P. This coming Thursday at Rebellion Festival, Blackpool.