Description

£19.99 – LP

Plastic Mermaids are a five-piece band from just across the Solent on the Isle of Wight who, after building their own analogue studio, have self-produced one of the most genuinely original and sonically adventurous debut albums you’ll hear all year: Suddenly Everyone Explodes.

They are brothers Jamie and Douglas Richards, who collaborate on vocals, synths and samples, along with guitarist Chris Newnham, bassist Tom Farren and drummer Chris Jones.

Born out of the ashes of previous bands Magic Octagon and Neon Fetus, Plastic Mermaids are not a band who have ever wanted for ambition. They started out as a three-piece – Jamie, Doug and Chris – although they realised after early shows that they needed more hands on deck. “I was there at their first gig, not playing but just watching”, remembers Tom. “It was utter carnage. I really appreciated the audacity of them even attempting what they were doing. They had an audaciousness, and the willingness to try things and have them not pay off”. “We just kept coming up with ideas and tried to make them happen” recalls Douglas. “That’s all we did for ages. We didn’t really think about where it would all lead”.

Most bands wouldn’t go to those sort of lengths for their art, but Plastic Mermaids aren’t like most bands. They’ve had a great reception so far with their latest single “1996” already being a favourite with Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1, Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6 and John Kennedy on Radio X. More than just a record, they have created their own very idiosyncratic world. On Suddenly Everyone Explodes, you can explore it for yourself.

In terms of musical influences, fans of The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Arcade Fire, Sparklehorse and Tame Impala will all find something to love in Plastic Mermaids’ richly-textured sound. The Flaming Lips’ influence is also evident in their ecstatic live show.

If you weren’t fortunate enough to experience Plastic Mermaids’ spectacular live show for yourselves when they performed for us at Pie & Vinyl as part of our celebrations for Record Store Day in 2016 and 2017, don’t miss out again when the band play a special gig we are proud to host in association with PVC at The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth on Friday 15th March 2019.

For further information and ticket details check out our facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/387973365309100/

Tracklisting:

A1. Glow

A2. 1996

A3. Floating In A Vacuum

A4. Milk

A5. Yoyo

B1. I Still Like Kelis

B2. 10,000 Violins Playing Inside An Otherwise Empty Head

B3. Throwing Stones At The Moon

B4. Aquarium Acid Trip

B5. Taxonomy

B6. Luliuli