Just a few months ago, we heard of the band called Weimar for the first time when covering their single ‘The Girls of LA’. Before you ask, no they are not from Germany. While they may be inspired by history and, clearly so, decades worth of different musical influences, their new single ‘Soho Rain’, is very much for the here and now. With a markedly slower tempo than the previous post-punk offering (straight out of the 90s college rock chart handbook), this is nearly as slow as a ballad and no less alluring than the aforementioned single or it’s Cure and New Order-inspired B-side ‘Transatlantic Confusion’.
The first taster of their debut album ‘Dancing On a Volcano’, this new single is a wistful torch ballad paying homage to a district of London, whose former culture has been long eroded. The song features a guest appearance on sax by rising artist Finola, who is originally from Leeds but now lives in Manchester. Inspired by the real-life stories of former Soho sex workers, it carries a strong message of inner reslilience and the ability to overcome hardship, addiction and personal struggle. This is also an affectionate homage to the dying culture of old Soho and the many artistic and cultural movements that emerged from London’s seediest square mile.
Weimar (pronounced Vy-marr) is a four-piece made up of vocalist/ guitarist / songwriter Aidan Cross (The Bacillus, Black Light Mutants), bassist John Armstrong (The Speed Of Sound), drummer Anthony ‘Eddy’ Edwards (The Deceased) and guitarist Stephen Sarsen (Frank Is Dead, Playground).
“Soho Rain explores themes of nostalgia for the bygone past amidst gentrification and cultural erosion, and heartache, loss and love within the seedy backstreets of the urban metropolis – themes recurrent throughout Weimar’s album. The lyrics tell of a former Soho sex worker’s visit to her old haunting ground as the neighbourhood is slowly gentrified, reflecting on the hardship she faced during her years in the sex trade, the strength she subsequently gained and how the experience shaped the person she is today,” says Aidan Cross.
Produced by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest of Vibratone Sound Studio, the cover art for this 12-track album was created by acclaimed artist and writerBrian Gorman. The art-rock quartet’s output embraces post-punk to no wave, cabaret, psychedelia, alternative folk and gothic rock, blended in a distinctive fusion.
Since forming in 2016 and hitting the live circuit, Louder Than War named Weimar amongst its 50 Bands To Watch for 2019, the year they debuted the single ‘John Doe / Curse the Songs’, followed by ‘Marvel To The State / Undesirable Master’. Having worked with legendary post-punk producer Simon ‘Ding’ Archer, they’ve also played with Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and goth legends Skeletal Family.
‘Dancing On A Volcano’ takes the listener on an unpredictable excursion with songs exploring socio-political and personal challenges of our modern age, with themes ranging from gentrification and cultural erosion, unsavoury characters masquerading as respectable public figures, the grit beneath the glamour of society, the contrast between polished façades and the decadence within. Through its maelstrom of musical styles and influences, this album paints a brutal and honest picture of human nature and culture in the context of the 2020s.
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=2300248815 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small]
On June 3rd, ‘Soho Rain’ will be available everywhere online, including Spotify,Apple Music and Bandcamp, where ‘The Girls of LA’ is also available. The ‘Dancing On A Volcano’ LP will be released digitally June 24th via German Shepherd Records and on CD via Marlene’s Hat Records. It can be ordered digitally via Bandcamp or on CD at weimarbanduk.com/product/dancing-on-a-volcano
ALBUM CREDITS
Written by John Armstrong, Aidan Cross, Anthony Edwards, Stephen Sarsen, Johann Kloos
Produced, mixed & mastered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest
Recorded at Vibratone Sound Studio, Manchester
Cover Art by Brian Gorman
John Armstrong – Bass
Aidan Cross – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Anthony ‘Eddy’ Edwards – Drums
Johann Kloos – Lead Guitar
Bob Dinn – Trumpet and flugelhorn (‘The Sociopath’)
Finola – Saxophone (‘Soho Rain’, ‘Polished Decay’, ‘Hunter’s Moon’)
Chris Guest – Keyboards (‘Soho Rain’, ‘Faded Queen Of The Night’)
Loop-Aznavour – Theremin (‘I Smashed The Looking Glass’)
Susan O’Shea – Keyboards (‘The Hangers-On’)
Enter the intriguing world of Manchester’s Weimar
Website | Store | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music
