What A Carry On has another distinctive melody and continues the political rhetoric Brexit style with reference to “some stupid numbers on a big red bus” and coming back to the question “where did it all go wrong? Due to be released January 27 th via Cadiz Music, although Wingmen’s debut album was crafted in seclusion, there’s no doubting that the album’s ten songs, chock full of dynamic songwriting and performances, sound like a band, despite the unconventional way the album was fashioned. No rehearsals, no pre-production, just us wingingideas toand fro, with the drums going on last of all in the studio – which is completelythe opposite of how things are usually done, of course.

Wingmen announce UK tour dates for Jan 2023 | MusicMafiauk Wingmen announce UK tour dates for Jan 2023 | MusicMafiauk

No rehearsals, no pre-production, just us winging ideas to and fro, with the drums going on last of all in the studio – which is completely the opposite of how things are usually done, of course. From chilled out acoustic sets with harmonious vocals to foot stomping shindigs and full band rock gigs, their charismatic repertoire of covers is guaranteed to entertain anyone and everyone in the audience. We had no idea where this project might take us; an idea born out of frustration became a full band within 24 hours, words and riffs and much tuneage followed, beers and jolly banter ensued when we finally met up to mix the results, a record company said 'yes please! Not a particularly jolly subject I know, but the music suggested a fairly dark lyric and the song just kinda ended up writing itself”.An eagerly anticipated tour by the well-known musicians of Wingmen (they tell me they dislike the term ‘punk supergroup’) touched down near Milton Keynes for their second full show last Friday – Ruth Rae was at the gate to meet them. I do like a bit of throw back to the heydays of the 60’s/70’s/80’s when it comes to taking shots of bands. Due to be released January 27 th via Cadiz Music, it’s important to stress that at no point during the recording of this debut Wingmen album were the musicians ever in the same room playing together.

WINGMEN - WINGMEN (2023) - Maximum Volume Music REVIEW: WINGMEN - WINGMEN (2023) - Maximum Volume Music

Only Marty and I had worked together before, so it was a complete leap into the unknown,” says Paul. As an exercise “to stop us all going stir crazy” this great album works on all levels dripping with classic influences from this collective of post-punk legends. I grew up on the music papers (NME/Sounds/Melody Maker) and drew influence from Pennie Smith/Jill Furmanovsky/Anton Corbijn/Bob Gruen/Adrian Boot/Charles Peterson. In essence, the way this album came together is the very definition of a collaborative process with no shortage of ideas and inspiration flowing through into what we can enjoy now through this debut album, especially given the fact that none of the members actually met at any point during this whole process. The band was formed during the lockdown by Baz Warne (The Stranglers), Paul Gray (The Damned), Leigh Heggarty (Ruts DC) and Marty Love (Johnny Moped).Formed out of pandemic isolation boredom and frustration, the group features The Stranglers frontman Baz Warne, guitarist Leigh Heggarty from Ruts DC, The Damned bassist Paul Gray and Johnny Moped drummer Marty Love. Only Marty and I had worked together before, so it was a complete leap into the unknown,' says Paul. a new legacy now lives on with a great album full of songs from a collective of post-punk legends which will be music to the ears of any fans of the likes of The Stranglers and The Damned. A Stranglers song was played as one of several covers, ‘ Long Black Veil’ from 2004 album ‘ Norfolk Coast’, which Baz dedicated to his late bandmate Dave Greenfield’s widow Pam, who was in attendance.

Wingmen announce UK tour - Distorted Sound Magazine

Today, we get to sample the first taste of Wingmen’s work in ‘Down In The Hole’, a song that channels the intense moods and feelings that lockdown created. Flanked by the epitome of cool Paul Gray’s mighty bass sound, and the lively Leigh Heggarty’s skilful slide guitar, the three at the front of the formation gave an exemplary performance on guitars and vocals. Louis Smoked The Bible rolls along with a staccato rhythm dominated by the sinister tones of Baz’s trademark vocals and jazzed up with a trumpet and sax.

Stripped of the ability to perform with their respective bands, Baz Warne ( The Stranglers), Paul Gray ( The Damned), Leigh Heggarty ( Ruts DC) and Marty Love ( Johnny Moped) joined together digitally and formed a band; a musical union that somehow manages to sound like the sum of all of those legendary bands, yet also nothing like them. These well seasoned musicians have years worth of combined professional experience and expertise under their musical belts. Wingmen are set to play their first ever live shows in January 2023, when they hit the road for a UK tour.

Wingmen - Facebook The Wingmen - Facebook

We only all met up for the first time at Panther Studios in Reigate when the songs were completed to our satisfaction and were ready to mix…followed by many foaming pints and joie de vive’ness in the pub opposite, of course! But this is definitely an album that grew on me with each listen and the sound that the Wingmen have created inevitably draws on the collective influences of all their respective bands, with so many sonic nuances bleeding out from the rhythms and melodies weaved through each of the songs. A superb cover of David Bowie’s ‘ Lady Stardust’ graced the set, along with a folk version of the Sex Pistols’ ‘ Anarchy in the UK’ (you had to be there! Although unconventional in its creation, the good news is that Wingmen is not just a studio project and will be a band that plays live.Catch up on all the punk news, reviews, features and interviews from the "Best Effin' Punk Mag Ever! The lighting wasn’t ideal at this venue, so here’s my video of ‘ I Would If I Could‘ from the following night in Islington.