Take it as a forewarning, for the London sextet today also lay out the incendiary plans for their long-awaited fourth studio album: ‘The Story Is….’, a record set to drop from Xtra Mile Recordings silo on 1st March 2019.
Lead single “38 Minutes” is a tense new track inspired by a ballistic missile alert triggered in Hawaii at the beginning of 2018. For a terrifying 38 minutes officials led the populous of the volcanic island to believe that the end was nigh. As sirens wailed and panic prevailed, the locals were starkly informed: “This Is Not A Drill”…
But it was of course, just that. Whilst it might not go down as a red letter day for the Hawaiian authorities, Skinny Lister fans can rejoice as this episode arrives transformed some months later into an ebullient new single “38 Minutes” and the first to emerge of many stories that make up their imaginative new album ‘The Story Is…’.
If Skinny Lister’s intriguingly titled new album sounds like something of pick’n’mix of assorted tales ready to share with you, well that’s because it is. A loosely-based concept album, ‘The Story Is…’ anthologises a series of personal vignettes inspired by a chaotic few years for the band and binds them into 14 tracks of unmistakably Skinny-sounding rock’n’roll.
Gather-in close and lend your ears as Skinny Lister rifle through ‘The Story Is…’ and pull out: scorched stories of aggravated arsonists (‘Artist Arsonist’), rib-tickling tales of regretful re-fuellings (‘Diesel Vehicle’), and even polemic pleas inspired by some of life’s hardest lessons (‘Stop & Breathe’).
From tales inspired by the minutiae of our day-to-day lives to paranoid ruminations of impending apocalypse, ‘The Story Is…’, sees Skinny Lister deliver their most lyrically and conceptually complex offering to date. Coupled with a veritable sonic smorgasbord of new sounds and songcraft, there are plenty of tell-tale signs that ring true of a band on stimulated form and at the top of their game. From the new wave nuances of The Jam’s classic output (‘Cause for Chorus’) to vintage ska-janglings (‘Second Amendment’), not to mention lashings of the band’s trademarkedly barnstorming folk-punk too (‘Rattle & Roar’, ‘Sometimes So It Goes’), the sextet’s latest release not only sees them expand their horizons but arguably finds them in the most potent pop form of their career.
Produced and mixed by the highly capable Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, The Enemy, The Temper Trap), ’The Story is…’ is released via Xtra Mile Recordings on 1st March 2019. Pre-order the album here: https://shop.skinnylister.com
But the story doesn’t end here. With one of the most reputable live shows in the business (hailed as “a deafening and visceral experience” – The Independent, 5/5), Skinny Lister will also be touring ‘The Story Is…’ with a series of their tenacious live shows across the UK & Europe in 2019.
Don’t miss your chance to become part of their latest adventures as the band embark on a two-leg UK tour, plus fix dates in Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, Holland and Belgium throughout the Spring. (Dates below).
Tickets for all dates are on sale now from: https://shop.skinnylister.com
SKINNY LISTER: ‘THE STORY IS…’ 2019 TOUR
UK TOUR – LEG 1
FEB
28th – Brighton Concorde 2
MARCH
1st – Norwich Arts Centre
2nd – Southampton 1865
6th – Bristol Fleece
7th – Glasgow King Tuts
8th – Leeds Key Club
9th – Leicester Academy
UK TOUR – LEG 2
APRIL
3rd – Edinburgh The Mash House
4th – Newcastle Riverside
5th – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
6th – Manchester Academy 2
10th – Cambridge Junction 1
11th – London Electric Ballroom