Micko And The Mellotronics Prep London Gig
The British buzz band playing Hope & Anchor in Islington tomorrow night
In the grand tradition of Screamin’ Lord Sutch and Damon Albarn, London’s Micko Westmoreland has a penchant for bringing musicians together.
On Le Vice Anglais, the fantastic second full-length from Westmoreland’s group Micko and the Mellotronics, the 11 tracks featured within include an impressive array of talented players assisting the singer-guitarist in shaping these undeniable hooks and melodies. Among the guests on hand for this Buzzcocks-meet-Blur affair are Budge Magraw (Cesarians/Gretschen Hofner) and Horace Panter (The Specials) on bass, Paul Cuddeford (Holy Holy/Boomtown Rats) on lead guitar, Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey) on brass, actor/comedian Kevin Eldon (Fist of Fun, Brass Eye, It’s Kevin), guitarist Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno/Florence & The Machine) and Mike Paradinas (µ-ziq, Kid Spatula).
But when the band comes to London’s Hope & Anchor in Islington tomorrow night, they will be pared down to a super tight combo ready to open up these new songs on the concert stage like the way they did with the material contained within their 2020 debut LP ½ Dove ½ Pigeon.
VIDEO: Micko and the Mellotronics “(What’s In A) Name”
However, while the steady lineup of the Mellotronics generally features Budge on bass and drummer JD Kickdrum, this upcoming gig will find Westmoreland playing with a slightly different rhythm section comprised of Budge and Jan Noble on drums with guitarist Paul Cuddeford sitting in as well.
“‘It’s great to be treading the boards again with an all star cast,” says Micko in conversation with Rock & Roll Globe over Facebook Messenger. “The rhythm section is fantastic with the recent addition of Jan Noble kicking the pants out of those skins. Budge on bass is always 100%. The songs kind of sit on top of that formidable force. And when Paul Cuddeford joins us, it’s always incredible as he’s such an amazing player. It’s the first time we have played out since the release of the album Le Vice Anglais, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Westmoreland, who recorded as The Bowling Green for Trent Reznor’s Nothing Records label and played a key role in filmmaker Todd Haynes’ 1998 glam rock epic Velvet Goldmine, will once again be bringing people together tomorrow night as Micko and the Mellotronics prepare an electrifying set that’s not to be missed.
In the meantime, make sure you check out Le Vice Anglais, which was recorded by Micko at home with mastering done by Simon Heyworth, best known for his work on Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells.
“I called the album Le Vice Anglais”, Micko explains, “after being invited to the Tribeca film festival in New York for the screening of the 25th Anniversary of Velvet Goldmine last year. It’s a line from the film where the character I play, Jack Fairy, is described as a courtesan. It chimed with me as the album is particularly English. It plays with observations about class, identity, masculinity and sexuality amongst others. It’s self conscience too, as it’s a title which reflects on how we are perceived by others.”
Le Vice Anglais Available on CD and digital formats, the album will be released on Micko’s own Land Line Records and distributed through Republic of Music.
Grab tickets for the Hope & Anchor gig here. Joining the Mellos on the bill will be Cult Figures and Helen McCookerybook for what’s sure to be a hoot for the holidays.
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