“IT’S LIKE TRACEY EMIN’S BED IN MY HEAD!” howls Johnny Marriott in one of the year’s most curiously compulsive choruses thus far.
Taken from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Fractured Party Music’ (out 12 March, via Xtra Mile Recordings), “Tracey Emin’s Bed” is the latest single from Colchester upstarts: PET NEEDS.
Inspired by the profound mess of that notorious Turner Prize nominated masterwork, like its namesake “Tracey Emin’s Bed” is a commentary on self-image, public perceptions of appearance and mental health.
“It came from looking at the nature of art and worth, and comparing this to the mental health and self-image topics in the verses” says Marriott of the track, “the whole song is rife with juxtaposition and contradiction.”
Pausing for thought on notions of ‘selling out’, “Tracey Emin’s Bed” began to take shape when Marriott thought he recognised a renowned punk from his town walking home with an M&S meal for two.
“Turns out it wasn’t him, but the first line of this song was already formed: “I saw you walking home with your Marks and Spencer’s bag. I thought that punks went to Iceland.”” grins Marriott. “It’s quite a ridiculous line when you take time to think about it!”
Taking the song to his brother and lead guitarist George, the pair thrashed out a melody as catchy as its subject matter proved controversial. Throwing-in a riotous rhythm section courtesy of Jack (drums) and Rich (bass), George Marriott adds an admirably avante-garde axe solo. Mixed and mastered by Frank Turner (who also mixed and mastered their forthcoming debut album), the result is a seismic punk record with its vision fixed squarely on the rock club dancefloor.
Like art imitating art, the new single comes with an official video that sees PET NEEDS getting deconstructive with their chosen medium. Shot, directed and edited by Robert Watts. Watch the video below.
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DEBUT ALBUM – OUT 12 MARCH 2021, VIA XTRA MILE RECORDINGS
