WINGMEN

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It’s funny how these things turn out,” explains Paul Gray. “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!” and now we find ourselves taking the results off on tour! And we’ll be joined by Rob Coombes from Supergrass on keys – it’s gonna be an absolute blast!” Set for January next year, the tour will coincide with the release of the self-titled debut album from the new band featuring members of THE STRANGLERS, THE DAMNED, RUTS DC and JOHNNY MOPED.

The Wingmen - Apresski Bands The Wingmen - Apresski Bands

Afterwards, all of the band members graciously came out to speak with the fans, sign merch and pose for selfies – they are genuinely ecstatic at the positive reception the album has had, and the public enthusiasm for this tour. My first impression of the album was that it sounded like a hybrid mix of the Stranglers and The Godfathers. 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. Ultimately it proves to be an album greater than the sum of the parts of those musicians involved. 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. Dates are currently being booked and who knows what else the future holds for Wingmen. For now, we’ll leave the final words to guitarist extraordinaire Leigh Heggarty… If you can’t get to see them in person, Wingmen will be live streaming their Brighton show on Sunday 29th – find out how to view the action HERE

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It’s funny how these things turn out,” explains Paul Gray. “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 companysaid “yes please!” and now we find ourselves taking the results off on tour! And we’ll be joined by Rob Coombes from Supergrass on keys – it’s gonna be an absolute blast!” A good squad doesn’t always get great results. Here, they might as well start the open top bus ride, because Wingmen have won. In fact, “Wingmen” the album, sounds as bleak as it deserves too, but it’s wonderfully and brilliantly done, because Wingmen, the band, are as close to royalty as you’re going to get. Wingmen comprise a collective of musicians who were all feeling the impact of these desperately insular times. Marty Love (drummer with Johnny Moped) had already worked with Paul Gray (bass player with The Damned) on The Sensible Gray Cells album, alongside The Captain himself, and it only took one phone call to ignite the idea of a new project. It did not take long, nor require much persuasion, before Leigh Heggarty (guitar with Ruts DC) and Baz Warne (vocals and guitar with The Stranglers) were signed up and a new band was born to quite simply wing it towards putting together a batch of brilliant new songs. Photo by Tina Korhonen This album may well have never come about were it not for the fact that our lives were suddenly put on hold,” explains Paul. “Some of us felt the effects of the enforced isolation from friends and loved ones that followed – and wondering when the hell it was all gonna end – more keenly than others. ‘Down in the Hole’ is a nod to them, and those that live with the effects of depression to a greater or lesser degree on a daily basis. Not a particularly jolly subject I know, but the music suggested a fairly dark lyric and the song just kinda ended up writing itself”.

Wingmen announce UK tour dates for 2023 - Louder Than War

You only have to put the news on for 30 seconds a day to feel a burning, seething hatred for pretty much everything that’s going on, coupled with a despair that “they” planned it. That capitalism did its job and kept us in our place, or that, as my grandad used to say “money doesn’t talk son, it shouts. Really loudly.”I hadn’t thought about Alanis for about 20 years, in fairness, but that popped into my head when the strains of “Happy Days Are Here Again” accompany the end of “It’s Raining All Over England”, as “Wingmen” comes to an end. ABOUT USLouder Than War is a music, culture and media publication headed by The Membranes & Goldblade frontman John Robb. Online since 2010 it is one of the fastest-growing and most respected music-related publications on the net.

Wingmen announce UK tour - Distorted Sound Magazine

If you enjoy reading Punktuation please consider supporting us with a regular donation each month. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our DIY journalism and sustains our future. together on The Sensible Gray Cells record and if so, did he have anyone in mind, We both wanted to work with Leigh, and he was interested in the idea. I asked Leigh if he knew any vocalists that may fancy it and he said Baz Warne could be worth a call, and to my surprise Baz said yes! It was always going to be a good show, given the musical pedigrees of Paul Gray ( The Damned), Baz Warne ( The Stranglers), Marty Love ( Johnny Moped), Leigh Heggarty ( Ruts DC) and Rob Coombes ( Supergrass), but seeing these guys play together as Wingmen was a brilliant experience – they are so much more than you may expect!Q: Whaddya get when a STRANGLER, a DAMNED, a RUTS DC and a JOHNNY MOPED walk into a (virtual) room? A: You get – WINGMEN!!!! Down In A Hole” has the air of The Stranglers, and has an unsettling feel, and the spoken word, “Mary Go Round” is almost a Warne recital. Like some dark, twisted poetry, an unwritten short story, maybe, whatever, it is a left turn. DEBUT ALBUM TO BE RELEASED JANUARY 27 th 2023 VIA CADIZ MUSIC FEATURING MEMBERS OF THE STRANGLERS, THE DAMNED, RUTS DC AND JOHNNY MOPED Although unconventional in its creation, the good news is that Wingmen is not a just a studio project – they will be a band that plays live! A final few words from Leigh Heggarty: If you enjoy reading Punktuation! please consider supporting us with a regular donation each month.

Wingmen UK tour announced! – featuring members of The

Although unconventional in its creation, the good news is that Wingmen is not a just a studio project and will be a band that plays live. Dates are currently being booked and who knows what else the future holds for Wingmen. For now, we’ll leave the final words to guitarist extraordinaireLeigh Heggarty… I just can’t wait for this line up to hit the stage and play these songs to the public,” continues drummer Marty. “It’s all about getting your hard work heard and getting a real live reaction. And having Rob Coombes onboard will make this band sparkle.”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. And as we move into 2023, it is only recently that the band members have actually got together for the first time to rehearse for a short tour of the UK which runs through until the end of January with the band also including Rob Coombes from Supergrass on keyboards. As for the future of Wingmen, well that remains to be seen, so take the opportunity to see them now if you can. Although unconventional in its creation, the good news is that Wingmen is not a just a studio project and will be a band that plays live. Dates are currently being booked and who knows what else the future holds for Wingmen. For now, we’ll leave the final words to guitarist extraordinaire Leigh Heggarty…