‘The Family Battenberg’ release their debut EP, ‘Spider Rock Forever’, A time capsule of sorts, this collection of tracks establishes their sonic groove, with influences including Ty Segall, The Black Angels, and Iggy Pop – ‘The Idiot’ (specifically).
The EP is an independent release by the South Walian four-piece, recorded at Tom Rees’ (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard) studio while he was on holiday. To master the project, the group sought out long-time collaborator Eddie Al-Shakarchi (Boy Azooga, Loathe, Swim Deep).When a charismatic leader is involved, reality, faith and fantasy are the entwined pillars of cult mythology. For this project, sect storytelling was a bottomless pool of intrigue for Jones. Inspiration was drawn from watching countless hours of film, namely the documentaries of Roch Theriault and the Ant Hill Kids, Heaven’s Gate and Children of God (IBLP).
A dual perspective is woven into Jones’ lyrics; structure is articulated through the rambling psychobabble of these figures of zealotry, while meaning conveys the ‘thought reform’ incurred by the cult-followers.
Aligning with a soundscape that’s signature to them, ‘Anteater’ is The Family Battenberg finessed. Drenched in fuzzy saturation, spacey vocals ricochet between a blistering guitar, all while a double-tracked mono drum plays like a call to action.
This is an anti-love song. When unhealthy adoration becomes a quest for romance, or approval in this case, we find ourselves doing strange things. In this story, the protagonist justifies total metamorphosis in the name of subservience. “It’s self-humiliation in the pursuit of a potential suitor’s attention,” as Jones puts it.
Saturation of vocals and guitar dialled up to eleven, ‘Spiders’ captures the ethos of the EP, while ‘Gwyllgi’ has a story of its own. In Welsh folklore, ‘Gwyllgi’ is a ghoulish mythical dog with red eyes that is an omen of bad things to come. The song is an amalgamation of mythical stories from Wales that Jones was reading at the time.
Over the last few years, The Family Battenberg have played a host of major festivals, namely, The Great Escape, Green Man, Trans Musicales, Reeperbahn, and ESNS. As budding upcomers, the group have supported the likes of Getdown Services, Panic Shack, Gruff Rhys and The Bug Club, cementing their growing reputation as a formidable live act along the way.
Already championed by the likes of Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, Amy Lame on BBC 6 MUSIC and John Kennedy on Radio X, the group are beginning to make their mark on the industry.
EP Track List:
1. Foggy
2. Gwyllgi
3. Friend Of Mine
4. Spiders
5. Anteater
6. Ghouls! Conga Line!
Live Dates
31.10 | Clwb Ifor Bach | Cardiff
04.11 | Hare & Hounds | Birmingham
06.11 | The Louisiana | Bristol
07.11 | The Washington | Sheffield
08.11 | Rat & Pigeon | Manchester
13.11 | The Shacklewell Arms | London
14.11 | Bloom | Birkenhead
15.11 | Live at Leeds