Blending angular post-punk aggression with razor-sharp lyrical observations on everything from social stagnation to corporate bullshit, The Clockworks are building fierce upward momentum. Alan McGee signed the band to his It’s Creation Baby label after what he describes as the best rehearsal he’s seen since Oasis, and everything indicates that The Clockworks are on a similar path. Early airplay support has included Annie Mac at Radio 1, Steve Lamacq at 6 Music, and even Iggy Pop, who played four of their songs in one night on his 6 Music show.
The band’s rise continues with confirmation of their first ever North American tour, which will see them play six shows as guests to the iconic Pixies and a US debut headline gig at NYC’s Mercury Lounge before culminating at the Riot Fest in Chicago. To coincide, they also unveil the new performance film ‘Live At The Rio’. In addition, The Clockworks will release the new single ‘Throw It All Away’ on August 13th, a song which adds shoegaze and classic Britpop elements to the band’s post-punk attack.
“We’re thrilled to be sharing the stage with one of our favourite bands,” says frontman James McGregor. “The fact it’s our first time in the States makes it all the sweeter.
The ‘Live at the Rio’ stemmed from a concept we’ve had for a while now, and it finally came together thanks to the good people at The Rio’.”
If you’re new to The Clockworks, then ‘Live At The Rio’ (filmed at The Rio in Dalston) is the perfect introduction. McGregor exudes an unorthodox charisma with his intense delivery and observational lyricism, while the band – completed by Sean Connelly (guitar), Tom Freeman (bass) and Damian Greaney (drums) – fire on all cylinders with equal measures of tightness and ferocity.
Formed in Galway, The Clockworks sold-out a hometown show at Róisín Dubh late in 2019 before relocating to London, where the stresses and strains that come with living in a major city inspired a new slant to McGregor’s lyrics.
