Thanks for the bump - will give em a listen tmw.
Still so glad that I did get to see them before we lost them. It was between TLR and Left and they opened with A Crack Up At The Race Riots segueing into The Black Amnesias**. If they’d walked off after that I’d not have felt cheated.
Stunning.
Ben
**or, conceivably, the other way around. It was forever ago.
This excites me greatly. Whether it’s HOTS or an other project this is just what i need
Yep - saw this last night and punched the air. Wasn’t their talk of them all meeting up? As you say, even if it’s a new project I’ll be thrilled.
Edit to add: THIS YEAR?
New record? Yes please!
The only way 2020 can redeem itself is if HotS release a new album that’s on a par with The Lost Riots.
Maybe.
I was listening to dark houses last week and pondering what would have happened if Hots had carried on in some form. Excited to hear more from Sam.
This is really enjoyable. Sam working on a record with Ant and Mike from HOTS so we’re going to get something big to look forward to next year
So… wait, what’s going on? Not a new HotS album I take it, but half of that band under a new name?
Instrumental band made up of 3 of them. Podcast was great, btw. Well worth a listen
I tried listening to them a couple years ago because this is the sort of sound that’s right up my alley, was big into the whole post-Britpop genre or whatever they called it.
Couldn’t get past the voice though. Friends/Enemies was a good track but the singer unfortunately did have a bit of a flat voice which doesn’t affect most people but I’m a bit picky with vocalists.
I often think of Morning Runner though when I think of Hope of The States, too bad they only had one album out. Had a few really good tracks and their singer actually could sing.
Yeah the vocals are definitely a hard sell
Sam Herlihy is one of my favourite ever vocalists.
That last long podcast interview he did was one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve ever listened to. I was such a fun at the time and always wondered about what had led to their formation, and what it felt like to come apart in such a painful way. He was so honest and well-spoken, I can’t wait to listen to this one.
Of course, the prospect of new music is the most thrilling thing.
Yeah, he’s the real deal - can totally see why it turns people off though. Definitely my first reaction - but they were a THRILLING band to be slowly drawn into via their aesthetic as a teen. Then once I was in I realised their was so much substance to them. Makes me nostalgic to think of.
Yeah, i get why people wouldn’t like his voice but for me it fits the music perfectly. The songs wouldnt have nearly as much impact with a poloshed, perfect voice. The imperfection suits the urgency and ramshackle sound and nature of the songs. Especially live, with the violin strings breaking and the piano chords and guitars all clashing together, it just worked and felt important. They were amazing
Listening to The Lost Riots now. God i miss them
Also, another plug for Dark Houses who deserve more listens. Their most played song doesn even have 2500 plays… It’s the probably the closest thing we’ll ever have to a 3rd HOTs album
I’d like the Dust Rackets records to get a nice wee box set release and maybe a nice bside collection too.
Sam’s voice has always been musical Marmite - I’d file him alongside Conor Oberst. But, like CB, if you like it, you tend really to like it.
I always found Sam’s vocal to be perfect for HOTS and am really excited for this new record.
PLEASE DO LIVE SHOWS.
I might dig out those dust rackets cdr’s. They are in storage at my folks house. I wouldn’t mind listening with fresh ears.
