London based rock n’ roll/garage band The Velvet Hands have aired the video for their latest single “40 Up 40 Down“.
The track features on their new album ‘Sucker Punch‘, which came out last week (Feb 3) though Blood Records. Grab it here.
Blending danceable rock riffs with jangling percussion and chugging guitars reminiscent of band such as Franz Ferdinand or The Hives, 40 UP 40 DOWN is an intoxicating listen brimming with headstrong optimism and an indie disco primed danceability, a heady, feel-good anthem that feels plucked straight from indie-rock’s riotous glory days.
Continuing The Velvet Hands’ knack for finding a breezy balance between hedonistic revelry and reassuring relatability that doesn’t take itself too seriously. As the band explain:
“This track is about being made to feel worthless, but also finding worth in the fact that your friends feel the same way and that you’re not alone. It has a lot of hope and is a really fun start to the album — we wanted to make sure that the first track on ‘Sucker Punch’ showed our intent from the very beginning. Musically it’s inspired by bands like Blondie and Franz Ferdinand — we wanted to make a tune that could be played at your local trashy indie disco.”
Speaking about the release of the new album, Dan Able says:
“”Sucker Punch” is an album about frustrations, anxieties and finding optimism in modern society. Each track was relentlessly rehearsed so that we could get into a live room and slam down them as efficiently and powerfully as possible. This was our first time in a ‘professional’ studio so we didn’t have the money to waste any time. Every snare roll and bass line was meticulously worked on for maximum effect.
Of the track, the band explain:
Watch the video below.
Taking equal parts inspiration from 1970’s new wave as well as 2000’s indie, The Velvet Hands, formed of Toby Mitchell, Dan Able, Louis Mitchell & Sam Hilder, have an unashamed love of guitar-based songwriting. The band, who blend slacker story-telling and belting guitar riffs, reminiscent of The Strokes or contemporaries such as The Vaccines, Parquet Courts & rousing punk choruses that recall The Clash, have supported both Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher as well as headlining stages at The Isle of Wight Festival & Why Not
THE VELVET HANDS Upcoming Live Dates
02/3 – The Junction – Plymouth
02/4 – Old Bakery Studios – Truro
02/22 – The Lexington – London
