Black Grape Declare Pimp Wars

by | Sep 19, 2023

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 (Paul Husband)
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

Liam Gallagher Oozes More Power At Koko

Wide angle photo of Opus Stage and Arena at DownloadXXII

From Chaos To Catharsis: Sleep Token Silence The Doubters As Day Two Of Download Festival XXII Delivers Big Moments And Bigger Emotion

We’re back for Day 2 of Download Festival XXII. Would today live up to the great start we had yesterday? Let’s see…

Bludfest 2025 @ Milton Keynes Bowl (Ruby Boland)

Hello Heaven, Hello! Bludfest Returns Bigger Than Ever!

The elfin Elin Hall makes for the perfect entrance music, America swirling like the threat of rain overhead, as...
Nine Inch Nails @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Trent And Atticus Nine Inch Nail It At The O2 Arena

Every act craves that strong connection with their audience – but how do you achieve this in a cavernous space like The O2 Arena, filled to the brim with around 20,000 fans (all, naturally, dressed in black)? Well, in typical belligerent style, Nine Inch Nails meet this challenge head on – treating us to a set by turns poetic and punishing, and despite the odd technical hiccup, really delivering that all important connection.

L-R: Roger Taylor, John Taylor, Simon Le Bon & Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Duran Duran To Bring Their Spectacular Danse Macabre Halloween Party To Manchester’s Co-Op Live

British music legends Duran Duran have announced their first-ever UK Halloween extravaganza, set to take over Manchester’s Co-Op Live on Friday, 31st October 2025. Promising a night of haunting glamour, sonic mischief and spine-tingling surprises, the one-off show will mark the UK debut of the band’s acclaimed Danse Macabre Halloween Party.

Jane Remover @ Outbreak London 2025

Outbreak Festival Storms London: A Genre-Bending Baptism Of Hardcore, Chaos & Community

Outbreak has been the beating heart of the UK’s hardcore scene since 2011 at its home in Manchester, finally the...
Santana @ The O2 Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

A Higher Frequency: Santana’s Timeless Spirit Lights Up The O2 Arena

As London sweltered under a 32-degree summer solstice sun, a different kind of illumination awaited inside The O2 Arena. Carlos Santana—guitar deity, Woodstock survivor, and spiritual messenger—brought his legendary band and transcendental energy to the capital with his Oneness Tour, proving once again that music, when played with heart and soul, can truly heal.

Matt Bellamy of Muse @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Muse Return With Electrifying New Single ‘Unravelling’ — A Thunderous Taste Of What’s To Come

Muse have unleashed their blistering new single Unravelling, igniting excitement among fans as they return to the world stage with their trademark flair for drama and dystopian grandeur. The track marks their first new music since 2022’s Will Of The People and signals the beginning of a bold new chapter for the stadium-filling trio.

Green Day @ Download Festival XXII - Friday (Sarah Louise Bennett)

Punk, Pop, and Pyro: Day One Of Download Festival XXII Ignites Donington Park

75,000 fans descend on Donington Park for Download Festival XXII, and as the sun drenches the hallowed grounds, we’re here to see what goes down. Let’s dive into it.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing