1990s
Rough Trade Records are proud to announce the approaching release of 1990s second collection of knock out songs, 'Kicks', which is to be released on 23rd March 2009. The group's cult hit loaded and hugely acclaimed debut album 'Cookies' was released in 2007.
‘Kicks’ features more sassy, infectiously catchy songs about Glasgow and girls in the main, but also references Mongolian Warlords, Bears, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Baader-Meinhoff and Scientology. Most of the songs on ‘Kicks’ are anecdotes about ex, current, future and fictional girlfriends.
The album was recorded at Edwyn Collins’ West Heath Yard studio in London and it was produced by Bernard Butler. 'Kicks' is the sound of a group careering head first, inspired by where they come from and what they can potentially do, into further adventures in sound and visions.
Inspiration was taken from everything from ‘Scary Monsters’/’Golden Years’ era Bowie and his work with Eno & Visconti to Jay-Z through to Hall & Oates, the chops of Hot Chocolate and even the folk licks of Richard Thompson. Sonically ‘Kicks’ is a rock record, but 1990s intention was to make it sound slightly alien too.
1990s have always been a three piece. In common with Franz Ferdinand, their origins trace back to two of Glasgow’s most influential and cult groups, The Yummy Fur and V Twin. 1990s in fact started off as 2/3 Yummy Fur, 1/3 V Twin on ‘Cookies’. For this new album they wanted to try 2/3 V Twin, 1/3 Yummy Fur, so Dino Bardot has now replaced Jamie McMorrow on the Bass Guitar.
The album’s a non-stop assault of pop gems. ‘59’ eulogises the 59 bus in Pollokshields, which comes approximately once per lifetime and goes from Narnia to Brigadoon via Pollokshields. As Michael, who sings it, explains ‘It’s the only bus you want to get on in Pollokshields, even if it’s going in the wrong direction. The song’s about me taking this bus and checking out the girls… with gammy eyes.’
1990s vocal harmonies on this album have come into their own and lead vocal duties are shared amongst the group much more so than on ‘Cookies’. Michael sings four songs, Dino sings two and Jackie sings the rest. ‘Kickstrasse’ features Jackie addressing German 1970s terrorist group Baader-Meinhof, with help from Kate Jackson (of The Long Blondes) on backing vocals. On ‘Everybody Please Relax’ Jackie threatens to move to Hollywood and become a Scientologist! Michael and Dino hope that he doesn't.
Of the songs Dino sings, 'I Don't Even Know What That Is' recollects an alarming proposition that was made to him after the group supported Roky Erikkson at a Halloween Party in San Francisco, wearing outfits borrowed from a porn studio.
Keep it in mind, to jump aboard the number 59 bus from Pollokshields if you get the chance - you never know where it might take you!
There will be extensive touring around the record’s release in March. Dates to follow imminently.
1990’s are Jackie McKeown (vocals, guitars), Dino Bardot (bass, vocals), and Michael McGaughrin (drums and vocals).