Bugeye support The Bluetones
Double pop bubble preview and a quick interview with BUGEYE who are special guests of THE BLUETONES in October!
When Britpop repeatedly asked “Oasis or Blur?”, The Bluetones were replying “Supergrass”. Of these four classic guitar bands with multi generational fan bases, they’re the ones still touring.
THE BLUETONES are a flying, talking, sleeping, walking, living collection of greatest hits - from their end of the century guitar pop classics to multi generations still roaring their anthems back at them.
Great call on a nationally treasured multi-hit band having BUGEYE as special guests! Musical peers with chart-sounding grand tunes.
No wonder there were positive reactions from some Bluetones fans who follow new music, when they recently announced (on FB) that along with Leeds “Kings Of Leon swagger” (Chris Hawkins) outfit, The Loose Cut, Croydo’s sparkliest gang, Bugeye, would be special guests on their October tour.
Regular readers will know that TheZineUK documentary is regularly Bugeye flavoured. The band are newer wave ringleaders and connectors, as their story unfolds on the strength of composition and entertainment that has served The Bluetones well since the 1990s. A totally ace double bill to witness, if you can
October 2023 THE BLUETONES + BUGEYE dates - 12 Norwich Epic Studios, 13 Exeter Phoenix, 15 Southampton The 1865, 16 Margate Dreamland, 24 London KOKO, 27 Brighton, Concorde https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-bluetones (full tour poster below)
BUGEYE?
“The UK’s No.1 Disco Punk Band” (BBC Radio) are a pop tuned treat. A favourite on the grassroots guitar trail, they’re not short of a tingling tune or engaging performance. Their Paul Tipler produced debut, ‘Ready Steady Bang’ was (deservedly) acclaimed an Album Of 2020.
Bugeye’s reputation has earned returns to mainstream music festivals. They live busy lives but have aired new songs to grand response - among much else. Brill, AND they’ve a song called ‘Blue Fire’. It was all meant to be, right?
A fab-femme force of art pop nature, in 2018, Bugeye re-imagined their sound with dirty guitars, disco beats, sizzling synths and exploding bass riffs that accelerate into the catchiest hooks South of London’s River Thames. Be prepared to hit the dancefloor and join the revolution.
Their lyrics span subjects from the mundanity of modern city life, to global issues such as racism and climate change, wrapped in a tuneful riotous uplift that demands you to dance. While Bugeye have one foot in pop's past - think 70s dance floor meets post-punk meets noughties optimism. They certainly look towards a future that is theirs for the taking.
With live shows that embrace both music and the art of performance, Bugeye are embarking on a new world – one where the arts collide.
Favourites on BBC Introducing, John Kennedy Radio X, Amy Lame 6 Music. Winners of the people's vote on Amazing Radio. 'Ready Steady Bang' included on Louder Than War Top 50 Albums of 2020, Loud Women Top Albums of 2020, and features in a long list of indie publications with rave reviews. The band’s 'Rock Pop Rambles' featured in Clash Music's Five Must-Listen Music Podcasts selected by John Kennedy of Radio X who rates Bugeye as “'ridiculously infectious''.
Musical multi-activists, Bugeye could be your new favourite band, so come early. TheZineUK caught up with lead singer, Angela Martin, for their their latest news:
Z: What good things have happened to Bugeye in general so far this year?
A: Life has been treating Bugeye well this year. We've been blessed with finding our new drummer who is pretty much our musical soulmate, Lisa Lux. Not only is she killer behind the kit, but she's a very talented songwriter too, so it's a bit of a dream working together on the next chapter of Bugeye songs which reminds me to tell you all that we have a new single coming out in November. Announcement coming VERY soon.
Other great things... We've played some incredible shows and have just been invited on tour with The Bluetones this October which is dead exciting.
Outside of Bugeye, we've had the pleasure of meeting so many fantastic new bands and artists this year. Really makes us feel excited for what is happening in the UK music scene. Oh and the blooming lovely folks over at BBC Introducing invited us in for a live session and a natter on air, how cool is that!
Angela (vocals/guitar) and Paula (bass)
Z: How did it feel to be invited back to the Isle of Wight Festival?
A: Really lovely actually. This was our third year at the festival, and we've been pretty blown away at the faith and support they have in our band to keep us coming back.
I'd just had a c-section a few weeks before and probably shouldn't have been playing due to the fact that I'd just had my stomach stitched up, but it's such a fun show, I really couldn't turn it down. The guys at the Kashmir Cafe really looked after me - salt of the earth that bunch.
As are Bugeye a Salt Of The Earth band! Which is why TheZineUK documentary would not be the same without them.
If you’re already a fan of theirs, then, meet THE BLUETONES
Following their chart topping debut, ‘Expecting To Fly’, this second LP was certified Gold in 1998 and will be played in full alongside many more hits - the TonesFest is on.
This jaunt around the country celebrates twenty-five years since the release of their second Album, ‘Return To The Last Chance Saloon’. It spawned four hit singles, the chant-along ‘Solomon Bites the Worm’, the stunningly unsleazy ‘Sleazy Bed Track’, the manga-rocked ‘4-Day weekend’ and the tune often heard in the air after their gigs, to this day… ‘If’.
Songs that remain fuckingfresh sing-out-huge. Some of the younger audience must have been raised on Bluetones recordings. Quality parenting, that!
A one band scene to be seen. They don’t look like they should have done by now (see the video for Marblehead Johnson) and these are the actual original members! Get a ticket and experience, in 2023, original soundtracks of Heyday “Cool Britannia”. No TARDIS required for entry, just a ticket.
In exchange, experience a perfectly imperfect national treasure of musicality with a quintessential British wry wit, a little charm, a lot of style - and the occasionally quirky raised brows. For more info, browse!
