Up To My Neck In A Hex is the second single to be taken from The Penny
Black Remedy’s latest album, Inhale…
Exhale… OK, Now You Can Panic!. The digital-only single – coupled with Self-Help For The Hopelessly Optimistic
- is due for release on Monday 28 October and will be accompanied by a new
video, directed by Gary Sobczyk.
Both tracks will be available to download free of charge from the band's website from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 October.
The song is a
personal account of writer Keith M Thomson’s readiness to escape from his
psychologically restrictive beliefs in, adherence to and the subsequent vicious
cycles of age-old superstitions, curses and plain bad luck. It
alludes to a constant internal battle between self-determined destiny and
pre-determined destiny and reflects nostalgically upon a time when it was
simply more practical to live life as a stone-hearted cynic.
The song ultimately
acknowledges the futility and irrationality of living life strictly in accordance
to a series of random occurrences and mercifully sees Keith take his first few
positive steps to breaking out of a grudgingly self-imposed psychological
prison sentence.
With their high octane live sets and unique
musical fusion of Americana, Punk, Folk and Ska, The Penny Black Remedy have
been thrilling crowds across the UK and the rest of Europe since the band’s
inception in London in 2007. Their live performances, as forceful as party
political campaign rallies, but unlike those - honest to the core, have seen
them build a fiercely loyal following, many of whom happily brave many miles
and borders to see them. Songwriter Keith M Thomson’s fine blend of darkly
humorous lyrics and joyful life affirming melodies have enticed diverse,
international, audiences to fully engage in their distinctively interactive
shows by enthusiastically singing-along to every word. Some of these songs can
be found on their album, ‘No One’s Fault But Your Own’ (released on their own
independent label, Soundinistas, and globally distributed by Cadiz Music).
Joining Thomson in his colourful
and culturally diverse collective are Croatian vocalist Marijana Hajdarhodzic,
and Dutch drummer Wilco van Eijk. Keith, Marijana and Wilco were proud to
recently welcome UK Subs and Flying Padovanis legend Paul Slack on bass duties.
Since last year, TPBR have on occasion been joined on stage by exceedingly
energetic and equally charismatic brass section, The Horns of Fury.
The Penny Black Remedy’s
highlights so far have included sharing bills with bands such as the Buzzcocks
and Fishbone, being voted by the audience in the ‘top 3 best acts’ at Larmer
Tree Festival, and playing festival scene few years running (Glastonbury, The
Secret Garden Party, Bestival, Larmer Tree), The Guardian’ Robin Denselow
stating that the song ‘I Won't Argue When I'm Dead’ is "Quite simply, the
finest country sing-along I've heard on the vexed pop topic of how one's body
should be disposed of after death”.
The Balkan-tinged folkies offer up a wry but measured worldview. The Daily Mirror
Stand-out track? All of ‘em – turn it up! ***** R2 Magazine
London-based festival favourites hit cross-cultural sweet spot. Uncut Magazine
You would need a soul made of
wood and a heart of soap not to love this album, or the band that made it. If
you are in any way predisposed to dancing, joy, or the celebration of life,
might I suggest that you acquire this record immediately. Fortitude Magazine
The twang may have gone but the
thrills remain, as do the unfeasibly long song titles, quick fire lyrics and
that backbone of a Gypsy beat, now augmented with surf guitar and ska horns. Americana-UK.com
