Black Grape have just dropped Pimp Wars, the second single to be taken from their forthcoming album Orange Head which will be released on DGAFF Recordings on 19th January 2024. Earlier this summer, the band revealed the first single Milk from Orange Head, which will mark their first release in 6 years. Speaking about the album, Shaun Ryder said, “If you enjoyed the last album, wait till you hear this one.”
Black Grape (Paul Husband)
Black Grape – consisting of Manchester veterans Shaun Ryder and Paul Leveridge, known as Kermit – are widely regarded as one of the most innovative and iconic bands of the last twenty five years. The group have had 4 Top 10 singles and their debut album It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah shot straight to No.1 in the UK charts upon its release in 1995 and went on to be certified Platinum. Follow up album Stupid Stupid Stupid went Gold in 1997.
Listen to Pimp Wars below:
Nearly 20 years after the release of that sophomore LP, Black Grape recorded football anthem England Till I Die for the European Football Championship finals of 2016. This was the catalyst for another Black Grape collaboration. Pop Voodoo was released in 2017.. Ryder’s word play was deployed to devastating eect and it received critical acclaim.
Ryder’s triumphs, struggles and diversions have been well documented. The usual contract and money hassles, a best-selling account of life in seminal British group Happy Mondays, a stunning electropunk album from nowhere in Amateur Night In The Big Top, a serious and informative investigation of UFOs as an author and broadcaster, a reality TV bon vivant and finally, a life as a clean-living family man, which has supplanted his old ways. In 2005 he sang lyrics on the Gorillaz track Dare which delivered the band their only No.1 single on their debut album.
Shaun Ryder has grown from a wild young tearaway into a British National Treasure. Black Grape always were a grimily cosmic musical jigsaw, melding rock, hip-hop, acid house, psychedelic pop and reggae with Ryder’s gutter poetry, delivered in his inimitable shyster’s bark.
Upcoming UK Tour Dates:
NOVEMBER
17th – Shiiine On Weekender
23rd – The Mill – Birmingham
24th – Albert Hall – Manchester
30th – Tramshed – Cardiff
DECEMBER
1st – Electric Ballroom – London
2nd – Engine Rooms – Southampton
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