South Coast Anarcho-punks keep things interesting on Grow Your Own Records!
Following hot on the heels of Ancient Lights’ debut album, ‘Reclamation‘, released last year, comes its follow-up, in the form of a new 10-inch EP called ‘Man Of The People‘. This record/CD and download has, once again, been released by the ever prolific Grow Your Own Records, and that is a stamp of quality in my mind. The front cover has a Crass-like design adorning it, right down to the wraparound stencilled statement covering its circumference. It says: “He’s not a man of the people. He’ll never be one of us. Just a sneering, feeble man of means, who stokes our fears”.
The cover is a collage featuring images of Nigel Farage spewing his bile (no change there then), with a devil-horned Trump overlooking an apocalyptic scene of hell and damnation. I also have to mention the Nazi-Teletubby in the picture, who has an all-too-familiar face (I’ll let you work out who, dear readers). Incidentally, Ancient Lights is based between Brighton, London and Exeter.
Ancient Lights are:
Alex CF – Vocals
Mark Thomas – Guitar
Mark Ford – Bass
PJ Shephard – Drums
‘Man Of The People‘ starts off the EP with a spoken word piece, sounding like a real working-class Victorian gentleman, saying it like it is over a communal dinner. There is even the use of a kazoo to get people’s attention. “Take a bung from the Russians. Start a racist discussion. In the hopes that his pockets will enlarge,” say the band, as they target a certain infamous, so-called political grifter in the public eye at the moment. Shortly afterward, the song kicks into action musically, in the Ancient Lights style we’ve become accustomed to. On this EP, it’s Anarcho-punk essentially, with a few more Post-punk elements on display. The vocals remind me of Wasperella from Rites Of Hadda. Of course, Mr Farage gets a proper trouncing on this song, as the band cuttingly expose him for the charlatan that he is.
‘Empire‘ mixes heavy Anarcho-punk sounds with an up-to-date, U.S. style Post- hardcore influence. Rudimentary Peni is never too far away from Ancient Lights’ musical style, but I can hear traces of bands like Propagandhi on this, especially in the way the guitars are harmonised. ‘Humanity Is A Prejudice‘ has a snaky guitar riff with some interesting time signatures going on. It’s very well played. Alex screams “We were just following orders!” before the song comes to an abrupt end. ‘Rupture The Routine‘ is a spoken word piece about the “I’m alright Jack” mentality that seems to be so prevalent in today’s society. They are sitting pretty and certainly not bothered or interested in your “placards and banners.” Absolutely no empathy is born and division is inadvertently caused, pitting “neighbour against neighbour.”
The closing song on this EP is a highpoint for me. It’s called ‘London Town‘, and it’s an ode to the old place, right down to its “Roman settlement foundations.” Heavy Post-punk is where the music is at, as the band bemoan the “feverish developers chewing up London town.” Alex says proudly; “This is where I live,” before adding; “It’s a triumph of tragedy.”
This 5-track 10-inch release ‘Man Of The People‘ is a solid one, and follows on admirably from where the brilliant ‘Reclamation‘ album left off. Ancient Lights will be playing some of these songs at Grow Your Own Fest in Hastings (The Pig) on November 7th, so make sure you witness this rare performance from one of the DIY underground’s more interesting bands.
Buy your copy of ‘Man Of The People‘ on vinyl, CD or download from HERE
1. Man Of The People
2. Empire
3. Humanity Is A Prejudice
4. Rupture The Routine
5. London Town
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I have been writing reviews for Brighton & Hove News, and more recently Vive Le Rock magazine for a few years now. Previously, I could be spotted playing drums for many a band over the decades. A noisy habit developed whilst wearing short trousers at school, and one that has had me touring around the UK and Europe. Punk rock is my life, but I am also quite eclectic. I am an avid gig go-er and music devourer, and can feel out of sorts if a gig date is not on the horizon. I have also been known to put gigs on myself in order to fill those gaps.
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