Welsh garage rockers The Family Battenberg have shared new single “Foggy“, written after a prolonged state of sleep deprivation, this track speaks a narrative of the dreamer, emerging with its fuzzy insomniac bed-head. In granting yourself permission to accept an uncanny situation as plausible or fact, reality and truth become difficult to discern.
Delivered with an appropriate lullaby-like-nature, the backing vocals add to the surrealness with an unshakably condescending, mocking tone. A drunken tub-thumping rhythm plays as the lead guitar warbles with a half-asleep grogginess; only to be shaken awake by a raucous overdriven chorus. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Eliot Jones would come to learn that magnesium is an impressive remedy for his restlessness (all credit to the worker in Holland and Barrett).
With the release of “Foggy”, The Family Battenberg announce their debut EP, Spider Rock Forever, arriving this autumn. A time capsule of sorts, this collection of tracks establishes their sonic groove, with influences including Ty Segall, The Black Angels, and Iggy Pop .
The EP is an independent release by the South Walian four-piece, recorded at Tom Rees’ (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard) studio while he was on holiday. To master the project, the group sought out long-time collaborator Eddie Al-Shakarchi (Boy Azooga, Loathe, Swim Deep).When a charismatic leader is involved, reality, faith and fantasy are the entwined pillars of cult mythology. For this project, sect storytelling was a bottomless pool of intrigue for Jones. Inspiration was drawn from watching countless hours of film, namely the documentaries of Roch Theriault and the Ant Hill Kids, Heaven’s Gate and Children of God (IBLP).
A dual perspective is woven into Jones’ lyrics; structure is articulated through the rambling psychobabble of these figures of zealotry, while meaning conveys the ‘thought reform’ incurred by the cult-followers.
Already championed by the likes of Steve Lamacq, Amy Lame, Huw Stephens, and John Kennedy, the group are beginning to make their mark on the industry.
