SHARKS release the brilliant, highly anticipated debut album ‘No Gods’ on March 19th through Rise Records
aaamusic | On 18, Dec 2011
SHARKS release the brilliant, highly anticipated debut album ‘No Gods’ on March 19th through Rise Records
Following on from the debut 2008 ‘Shallow Waters’ EP and the much acclaimed 2010 follow up ‘Show Of Hands’ EP, and the Zane Lowe, Dan P Carter and Fearne single ‘Sweet Harness’, SHARKS are finally set to release the debut full length album, ‘No Gods’, on March 19th through Rise Records. Produced and recorded September 2011 with Brian McTernan [Thrice, Cave In, Hot Water Music] in Baltimore at his Salad Days studio, The band will also be on tour across the UK in March and April around the release of the album, full dates listed below.
Instead of merely adopting the rules and regulations of the iconoclastic chaos of punk or British indie music the youthful UK quartet—James Mattock (Vocals, Guitar), Andrew J. Bayliss (Guitar), Sam Lister (Drums), and Tony Corrales (Bass) —swims in a space between both styles. Over the course of eleven infectious anthems, Sharks sharpen timeless melodies with an explosive edge tempered by intricate riffing and hypnotic harmonies. It’s pure, poetic, and powerful.
In many ways, frontman Mattock’s diverse musical palette informs the sound of Sharks. As a child, he couldn’t really escape music, and he turned to it as more than a simple diversion. “I didn’t grow up with many friends,” confesses the 21-year-old singer. “I am who I am because I admired and studied so many incredible songwriters and musicians as a kid. I was always extremely interested in what my favorite artists actually had to say.” He got an earful too. His grandfather introduced him to the likes of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, simultaneously teaching the ten-year-old Mattock how to strum his first chords. His Mum’s tastes spanned everything from Elvis Costello and Tom Petty to Oasis and The Lemonheads. However, he discovered what really fueled him by hanging out with his dad. Once Mattock heard The Ramones, all bets were off. That punk spirit had become awakened in him. He’d sit for hours on end reading Crass lyrics and spinning classic albums from The Clash and Minor Threat. The frontman elaborates, “The Clash perked up my ears. I loved how they were outspoken about their beliefs. Interesting, artful, and thoughtful music have kept me going.
SHARKS as a fully formed band didn’t formally come to life until 2007. Jamming with school pals Bayliss and Lister, Mattock began penning songs that would make up their first independent EP, Shallow Waters, in 2008. Off the back of this EP, the band drummed up a serious buzz while playing and touring with the likes of Gallows, The Wedding Present, and Baby Shambles. Still barely old enough to drive, the group then garnered critical acclaim for their ‘Show of Hands’ EP in 2010. Press and praise from the likes of Zane Lowe, Dan P Carter and Mike Davies at Radio 1, Kerrang, The Fly, Classic Rock, Rock Sound, XFM, Clash, Wonderland, The Guardian, NME, Big cheese and more. The band capitalized on this growing support with the opening slot on The Gaslight Anthem tour in the UK and Europe.
Around the same time, they caught the attention of Rise Records, who became their stateside home, dropping a collection of previously released EP tracks, The Joys of Living 2008-2010. The group set foot on U.S. soil touring with Social Distortion, The 2011 Van’s Warped Tour, and the 2011 Alternative Press Tour (where they ALSO graced the cover of AP Magazine with Gallows, Title Fight and Four Year Strong) as Mick Jones, Brian Fallon [Gaslight Anthem], and Frank Carter [Gallows] all continually voiced their public support of Sharks.
Everything simply laid the groundwork for No Gods. On the album, the band’s sound evolved into a more expansive beast. You can hear it loud and clear on the title track. It was the first song written for the album, and it spawned everything. Beyond the eye-catching title, it’s something of a call-to-arms for the band. “It’s not anti-religion or anything like that,” he affirms. “The song is super positive, and it’s not meant to be offensive. It continues the punk ethos that everyone has a right to think for themselves. It’s a liberal attitude. When you have no gods, you can make your own choices. When you’re not worried about everyone else’s opinion, you can be yourself. People get caught up in this Facebook world and become overly preoccupied with what everyone else thinks of them. We believe in what we’re doing and we believe in ourselves. We’re not trying to pander to anyone. This is exactly what we want to do. Be your own god, be an individual.”
Elsewhere on the record, album opener “Til’ The Wonders Rise” snakes from a jagged speedy guitar into a gritty punk refrain, while “Able Moving Hearts” is refreshingly raw and “On A Clear Day You Can See Yourself” floats on a twang-y lead and Brit-rock hook. He reveals, “It’s always pulled right from my gut. It’s a mixed bag of dark and light emotions. You can connect with people really easily by being honest with yourself. I go through what most young people go through and think about. I get off on trying to make sense of life in my lyrics. Hopefully, they speak for themselves.”
Ultimately, Sharks don’t need Gods to make divine rock ‘n’ roll. “We paid the least attention that we possibly could have to current scenes and trends,” declares Mattock. “It moves so fucking quickly anyway that ‘what’s popular’ doesn’t concern me. I love and respect the bands that last because of quality. We’re not getting caught up in the moment. We’re the same band we were when we started, and we’ll always be Sharks.”
‘No Gods’ track-listings:
1. ‘Til The Wonders Rise
2. Arcane Effigies
3. Able Moving Hearts
4. On A Clear Day, You Can See Yourself
5. Matthew’s Baby
6. Patient Spider
7. Turn To You
8. Dawn Soft Light
9. What Entails
10. Luck
11. No Gods
UK live dates March/April 2012:
Sun 25 Mar Wrexham – Central Station
Mon 26 Mar Manchester – Star and Garter
Tue 27 Mar Birmingham – Rainbow
Wed 28 Mar Glasgow – King Tuts
Thu 29 Mar York – Stereo
Sat 31 Mar Nottingham – Rock City Basement
Sun 01 Apr Cardiff – Ifor Bach
Mon 02 Apr Bristol – Croft
Tue 03 Apr London – Lexington
Wed 04 Apr Brighton – Green Door Store
Thu 05 Apr Tunbridge Wells – The Forum
Fri 06 Apr Kingston – Fighting Cocks
SHARKS are:
Vocals / Guitar – James Mattock
Guitar – Andy Bayliss
Drums – Samuel Lister
Bass – Tony Corales
