Holy Moly & The Crackers Premiere Gravel Rag

Holy Moly & The Crackers fly the battle flag of intent with the new release of Gravel Rag. Rockshot Mag premiere the video.

The high-octane six piece return with smoking new single Gravel Rag. Inspired equally by the infamously wild nightlife of their hometown, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and Jack White’s I’m Shakin, it is set for release via the band’s own Pink Lane Records on 6th April. Gravel Rag plays on the punkish grunt of the band’s 2017 album Salem, whilst referencing the folk and blues tradition that the band root themselves in; indeed, the title comes from Charlotte Blake’s 1908 ragtime piano piece of the same name.

Holy Moly & The Crackers told us a little more about how they made the film and how they brought the song to life.

“We made Gravel Rag in a grungy film studio in central Newcastle, top floor of a stack of studios. We filmed it with our old and dear pal, Craig Newton, of Underground Photography.

“We’ve worked with him on a few videos and he has got a real eye for the game. He’s done amazing work for rock bands like Hello Operator and Counterfeit, and he brings the same chic rock and roll to our videos.

“Gravel Rag purposefully has a vintage vibe to it. Both through music and the production. I mean the song itself is named after an old piano rag from 1908. We wanted to tip our hat to our influences and inspirations. But, at the same time we worked hard to make sure that it still contemporary, alive and kicking. We tried to mirror that relationship between old and new in the video by working with two professional dancers: Elise Hopper, who is a regular in the swing dancing community in the North East, and Lerato Mncube, a contemporary dancer and teacher. They are the kind of frame for the band.”

Produced by Matt Terry at VADA Studios and mixed by Dan Austin (Pixies), the release is proof that the up and coming group have become a force in the studio, capturing the feverish energy of their potent live show.

Recently they have been added to Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings at the Roundhouse in London and will be appearing at many festivals this year including Bearded Theory, Wilderness, and Beautiful Days.

This year HM&TC will also head back into the studio, to record their next album and continue their relationship with Matt Terry and Dan Austin, both whom use dynamic formulas combining tight, pop sensibility with the naturalism of garage rock and roots.