With intelligently written and dynamically composed songs, ths is the Ska crossover band you've been looking for!
Ska-Punk Alternative Fusion band News for Parrots hail from Sleaford, UK . This fun and funky sextet bring their own blend of musical influences together to create a unique sound – distorted riffs and sax-infused melodies harmonise with powerful vocals, funky dual guitars, melodic bass lines and precise drum beats.
Their second EP ‘Happy Songs for Sad People‘ dropped on 31st May this year, and it’s a fantastic follow-up to their 2024 debut EP ‘Breaking News‘, which was played on BBC Introducing Lincolnshire, and has featured on radio stations in Nashville, Hawaii and Australia.
Life is complicated, and News for Parrots cover a gamut of emotions in ‘Happy Songs for Sad People‘, reflecting its title about the duality frequently found in our experiences. The EP begins with a short intro, ‘March To The Pyre‘, with classical guitar played over the famous quote by main character Arnie Cunningham in the Stephen King horror ‘Christine‘ about the persona-altering nature of obsessive love…
Released as the lead single, ‘Follow Your Bliss‘ is an upbeat Ska song about the heady beginnings of a relationship that is destined to turn toxic; “Follow your bliss dancing to the abyss, As we gravitate to the pyre”:
My favourite track on the EP is ‘Mr. Nobody‘. Madness-esque sax over skankin’ guitars, with lyrics that’ll make you think; “Mr Nobody’s is me and you, We just can’t seem to face the truth”. The’re a heavier midsection with an epic guitar solo, ending with a howl from vocalist Alex which shows how musically versatile News For Parrots are!
Making an escape in ‘Go For A Ride‘, we race off down the road accompanied by superb vocal harmonies from the entire band. Another very different song, yet still with the band’s signature brilliance stamped all over it.
After the crash, the blame lands upon ‘Bad Timing‘, a hard-hitting number which cleverly references musical terms in relation to a relationship breaking up. “We never keep in time, Nothing I say gets through to you, Your tempo never matches mine, We’re never in the same key, Just match my note in harmony”.
‘Sinking Ship‘ concludes these “5 tracks full of Ska and Punk Epicness”. More sublime vocal harmonies chart the course of a decision to “Sail away, on the sea, On the waves, a storm inside my heart, Moving by with the tide, Thoughts so dark.” A slower, almost jazzy track with heavier undertones, it ends with a rallying call of strength via a cathartic scream and psychedelic guitars; “Pick yourself up face the pain, Gotta learn to ride these waves, Rise above the tides, You’ll be fine.”
With intelligently written and dynamically composed songs, News For Parrots are the Ska crossover band you’ve been looking for!
Listen to ‘Happy Songs for Sad People‘ on your favourite streaming platform, and download it digitally HERE. The EP is also available on CD from the band or from Back to Mono, Lincoln.
Catch News For Parrots live around Lincolnshire:
Monday 31st August – Red Lion, Ruskington
Saturday 3rd October – Red Cow Inn, Fishtoft, Boston
Saturday 17th October – The Carps, Boston
Saturday 24th October – The Jolly Brewer, Lincoln
More info HERE, and keep an eye on the band’s socials for additional dates!
- March To The Pyre
- Follow Your Bliss
- Mr. Nobody
- Go For A Ride
- Bad Timing
- Sinking Ship
Follow News For Parrots on Their Socials:
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Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
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