Pearl Mystic (Weird World,2013)
Really pleased to announce the signing of Leeds-based Hookworms to Weird World with the band’s incredible debut album.Live and on record, like Spacemen 3, they pointedly subvert the tripped out sound environments of psychedelia with a darkly malevolent punk menace; unlike J.Spaceman et al, there’s no chemical assistance, these concepts and feelings come with clarity.Hookworms have been terrorizing headlining bands across northern England (as support with Wooden Shjips, Sun Araw and Peaking Lights), and beyond through sheer sonic velocity and emotive intent. The reel feels cathartic, each fresh revolution of the loop a confrontation between the band and themes of depression, loss and anger – subjects close to the heart of the group’s vocalist MJ.
Pearl Mystic is an absolutely thunderous statement of
intent for Hookworms (MJ – vox/keys/analogues; JW – guitarist, SS –
guitarist; MB – bass; JN – drums). After a portentous couple of years of
live shows and limited releases, a debut self-titled EP initially came
out on cassette for Sun Araw’s Sun Ark label. Soon after, there was a
vinyl release on Faux Discx/Gringo Records. Both sold out. During this
time their live shows continued to increase in intensity, cementing
their reputation treading the boards.
Live and on record, like Spacemen 3, they pointedly subvert
the tripped out sound environments of psychedelia with a darkly
malevolent punk menace; unlike J.Spaceman et al, there’s no chemical
assistance, these concepts and feelings come with clarity.
A relationship lost, a battle with depression, and as MJ
puts it “a half-hearted suicide attempt” are running narratives
throughout the album. Tracks like ‘Away/Towards’ possess an infectious
energy that juxtaposes with a subtext of a bi-polar approach to coping
with loss. “Preservation”, too, is in keeping with the group’s live
shows, though deals with existentialism, whilst several Raymond Carver
influences are scattered in and among the bold textures of sound. “In
Our Time” is inspired by hill MJ would cycle up near Otley in Yorkshire
after the break up to catch his favorite view in the world
The record was recorded and produced in MJ’s own Suburban
Studios – where he’s worked on records for Mazes, Eagulls and Spectrals
and more.
Indeed, the most impressive thing about Hookworms is that,
through this torrent of emotion, there’s always the sense that they’re
in control of it all, so committed are they to this catharsis that they
refuse to throw any of it to chance.
