Is Spectrals‘ “7th Date” the downhome Northern version of Craig David’s “7 Days”?
Well, if Craig David were wracked with self-doubt, social-anxiety and didn’t have clap lights and a rotating bed in his house, then yeah, I can go for that. They seem about the same.
Bet Spectrals even chill on Sundays too.
“7th Date” is the A side from Spectrals’ forthcoming 7″ on Slumberland.
On Monday 22nd March we’ll be releasing a split single featuring two jams each from Fair Ohs and Spectrals (which you can buy here). You probably know all about this since we’ve hardly shut up about it, but give me a break, it’s cos it’s really good. And you probably know a lot more about the actual release then what it sounds like – that’s cos it’s not out until 22nd March, dummy.
I’d like to think you’ve already found out for yourself, but FYI, Fair Ohs are on a “Paul Simon but punk” vibe and Spectrals sways with blue eyed soul and, according to the girl reading The Stool Pigeon over my shoulder last night, “Teddy Pendergrass and shit like that”. I’m not sure how she could hear that through the ink and paper, but Louis (who’s definitely a boy, Muso’s Guide!) is certainly into soul, doo wop, Motown, girl groups, that kind of thing. You can hear it coursing through the music pretty clearly.
That in mind, I asked him to make us a mixtape collecting together some of his favourite tracks. And he did just that. You can download the entire thing as a zip, with the tracklisting featured below. Thanks to Ralph Wilson for the artwork and obviously to Louis himself for sharing the wealth.
Meanwhile, with the release of said split single coming up quickly over that hill, time’s about right to remind you of this launch night happening in a few weekends time. And here’s that reminder.
Tracklisting:
1. The Fascinations – “The Girls Are Out To Get You”
2. The Cleftones – “Heart and Soul”
3. Shirley J. Scott – “Goose Pimples”
4. The Shirelles – “Baby It’s You”
5. The Opals – “You’re Gonna Be Sorry”
6. The Duprees – “You Belong To Me”
7. The Chiffons – “He’s So Fine”
8. The Ronettes – “How Does It Feel?”
9. The Charmaines – “Whenever I Get Lonely”
10. The Capris – “Tears In My Eyes”
11. The Marcells – “Goodbye To Love”
12. The Vogues – “You’re The One”
13. The Jellybeans – “I Wanna Love Him So Bad”
14. The Chantels – “So Real”
15. Blue Magic – “Look Me Up”
Acting as a neat precursor to the release of TLV035, the Fair Ohs/Spectrals split 7″, Spectrals go out on tour next week with Girls, playing two dates either side of three London shows. It’s a sporadic set of shows, taking in Brighton (Feb 22nd) and Southampton (Feb 25th), then Manchester (Mar 2nd) and Birmingham (Mar 3rd), in a sweet defiance of London-centricism (save the three dates in between, of course).
Significantly, the last of the dates in the capital is an all-day affair launching the zeitgeist-defining (although I know they’ll baulk at the claim) compilation released through Paradise Vendors and Italian Beach Babes; the labels run by Male Bonding and Conan Graffiti Island respectively. Here’s a link to details of that show, which you’d be a little foolish not to attend – there’s about a billion people already confirmed on Facebook as it is, if that means anything. You can also buy the record here, which features, among others, Spectrals, Fair Ohs, Not Cool, and Male Bonding and Graffiti Island themselves. And it’s £8. Deal!
A1: Fair Ohs – “Hey Lizzy”
A2: Fair Ohs – “Himalayas”
B1: Spectrals – “Birthday Kiss”
B2: Spectrals – “Keep Your Magic Out Of My House”
7″ hand-numbered blue vinyl
Limited to 500 copies
It’s with absolute joy that we can announce the release of TLV035 – the next single in our Split 7″ series. This one features tropical punk bros Fair Ohs and Leeds’ very own one man Rat Pack, Spectrals. Each band contributes two tracks to the record, with Fair Ohs’ infinite summer sun bombs offset beautifully against Spectrals’ surf-style slow jamz. Yep, it’s a pretty special record.
Artwork is provided courtesy of Male Bonding drummer and all round hero Robin Silas, assisted by our other favourite drummer Ralph Wilson (the man responsible for tons of Tough Love-related design, not least this very website). Big love to you both.
The record is now available for pre-order from our Shop here. All orders will be shipped one month prior to official release (Monday 22nd March) and we’ll also send you a code to download all of the songs for free. Keep checking the site for forthcoming information on some very exciting launch parties and a Spectrals tour with a band you all know and love…
