JOHN return with their first new music since the release of their acclaimed third album Nocturnal Manoeuvres, released on Brace Yourself/Pets Care Records in October 2021. The blistering ‘Theme New Bond Junior‘ is the A-side of a new 7″ single which will land early in 2023 via Brace Yourself and Pets Care. The 7″ is available for pre-order here and the B-side is ‘Hopper on the Dial’
JOHN is the duo John Newton (drums, lead vocals) and Johnny Healey (guitar, backing vocals) and they create a thunderous sonic landscape. ‘Theme New Bond Junior’ finds JOHN tackling the questioning feelings that arose as the band returned to the live circuit once venues began to open their doors. They embarked on a 30-date UK tour in the autumn 2021, as well as recent festival slots at Green Man, End of the Road, Latitude, a main stage appearance at Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering and a memorable return to the mainland at Belgium’s historic ROCK HERK.
John Newton expands further on the background to the track:
“The arts function as a mirror of our wider culture, and it’s been interesting to see how the acceleration of the present affects most aspects of our lives – including the production of art and music. The track was a gestation on the speed of consumption: this includes both the constant update/obsolescence of physical products and their resulting effect on the human attention span.”
“Recently, it’s been concerning to see individuals – who have been pillars of creative action – questioning their ability to continue their jobs (and passions). Especially amongst the, quite frankly ridiculous, calls to ‘retrain’. I felt like the track helped us to keep our own momentum, continuing to stay positive and move forward despite the challenging scenery around us. With this in mind, it felt like the perfect track to act as a call-to-arms, introducing a new chapter as the first glimpse of a barrage of new stuff we’ve been focussing on.”
JOHN will play Mutations Festival in Brighton on 5 November and Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on 18 November. In addition they will present a series of special events under the banner “OTHER MANOEUVRES” in November and December which will involve three creative line-ups put together by the band. The first guests to be announced were Brighton-based DITZ for the London show on 19 November at The Dome, Tufnell Park while subsequent additions include DAMEFRISØR and Mumble Tide who both join the Bristol date at Thekla on 9 December.
Speaking of the events, the band offer:
“We’re hand-picking three line-ups across these three wonderful venues, gathering some of the best creative artists from across this enlarged isle. These shows will be the first chance to hear the new material that we’ve been recording through 2022, with plenty more to be revealed through 2023.”
For more information on JOHN please check out their facebook and twitter.
