Bad Mothers Union Release Euphoric Kraut-psych-rock Single

A whirling dervish of unbridled self-expression Bad Mothers Union unleash torrents of euphoric kraut-psych-rock as they reach to the heavens on their new single ‘God’s Intercom’. Established in Kilkenny by front man Conor Kavanagh, during Bad Mothers Union existence they have focused on forging a community of like-minded individuals, bands and artists with the view that no crowd or venue is too small. Driven by the unshakeable need to share their artistic vision with the world. Eschewing the standard approach to membership the band act as a musical collective, thriving on collaboration and what each player’s voice brings to their sonic tapestry. The current line-up is Conor Kavanagh (vocals/guitar), Shay English (bass), James O’Neill (drums/percussion), Tim Flood(bass), Céin O’Dowd (guitar bouzouki) and Ethan Corcoran (synth/bass/vocals). While Shay English (bass/vocals/guitar), Joel Pitcher (guitar/bass/vocals), Michael Lanigan(guitar/bass/vocals) and Aaron Harbourne(drums/percussion) all contributed to the single. Drawing on influences musical and beyond the band cite Sonic Youth, The Osees, Mogwai and Primal Scream along with some David Lynch adding a surrealist twist to the expansiveness of their music.

‘God’s Intercom’ was initially conceived during a jam session, fittingly, in a Methodist Church in Kilkenny. The idea hung around for a number of years, in various forms, but it wasn’t until Michael Lanigan pushed up the BPM did it transform into the celestial body we hear today. From the outset ‘God’s Intercom’ is explosive, a single chord and a machine gun snare roll are all the introduction given before the band open the gates to the fury within. Aaron's drums propel the track forward, while guitars swirl around each other, untethered like a wild rudderless rocket. We are giving some breathing space as the track drops down enough for Conor to intone ‘It was Christmas Day, pissing rain, Jammy called once again, Were those the days before the crash?’. He says the lyrics are stream of consciousness, borne out of the track evolving over many jams and many live shows, but pull in characters from his youth, coupled with insecurities, and self-doubt mixed with reminiscence about teenage boredom.

There’s no ‘verse/chorus/verse’ here as the track naturally ebbs and flows, guitar melodies rise and fall, and unexpected hand claps remind people it’s cool to dance as we build to crescendo and before dropping down to recharge. Shay’s bass keeps things anchored throughout, a driving pulse as we catch breath and then a flurry of notes that sounds like Entwhistle and Butler fighting with each other as things take off again. The track also features Peer Pleasure’s Brandon Murphy on vocals during the staccato middle section who’s lines ‘I've been looking at you while you've been laughing at me and I've been laughing at you this whole entire time.’ seem like how the conversation with God might actually go, should he ever answer that intercom. Elsewhere on the track Fiachra Carey plays saxophone, who, when recording his takes decided to dress like a member of ska legends, Madness. Because, of course.

‘God’s Intercom’ is representative of Bad Mothers Union as a musical entity, in that, it is an unrelating infinite spiralling force of energy. Unperturbed by what the outside world may think. This is music that needs to be created, that could not be kept inside and speaks to both worldly and celestial forces. Bad Mothers Union create moments of transcendence, sounds to get lost in, a blissful euphoria all concocted by a voice, drums, bass, guitar and some ska saxophone. A band that remains true to themselves and in that create their own gravitational pull.

- Upcoming Live Dates (supports, festivals and headline shows):

January 15th / Fred Zeppelins, Cork / headline w/ Outsound & Cutouts

January 23rd / Bennigan’s Bar, Derry / supporting Peer Pleasure w/ Deoch

January 24th / Anseo, Dublin / supporting Garage Olimpo

February 6th / McDowell’s, Dublin / supporting Cavalier Attitude w/ Freak Pointing & Grey City Riot

March 6th / Daylight, Dublin / supporting Peer Pleasure w/ The Spudguns & Sticky Digit

March 7th / Anseo, Dublin / supporting Aryel Moon

March 21st / The Watchtower, Drogheda / headline w/ Relics & Scrum

April 10th / Lost Lane, Dublin / supporting Unsane w/ Stitch Jones

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