The Slow Readers Club are probably the biggest band you’ve never heard of.
But that’s all about to change as they ready what may be their most potent and powerful release to date –Lunatic (out now on the Modern Sky label).
Receiving its very first play on Chris Hawkins’ 6Music show this morning, the new single also arrives as the band prepare to take on some of their biggest headline shows to date at the likes of Manchester’s Albert Hall, Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms, London’s The Garage, Glasgow King Tuts and more.
Teeming with the fear and paranoia that has been instilled by the incarcerations of the modern day, the latest single from the Manchester four piece is a nihilistic outburst and a rallying, renegade expression with its intentions all on escape.
Speaking about the track, frontman Aaron Starkie says:
‘Its about feeling at odds with the world, especially politically in recent times, to the point where you feel as though you are losing your mind. There’s also reference to how psychiatry has been used to remove political dissidents from society: ‘Hard to find a fit, for I know that Im a lunatic, Sure in days of old, i’d be chained to the floor’.’
Writhing and twitching with a relentless fervency, the track was produced by long-time collaborator Phil Bullyment who produced the band’s acclaimed sophomore LP ‘Cavalcade’ and is also noted for his work with their Mancunian contemporaries Dutch Uncles.
However, perhaps unlike Dutch Uncles or some of their other brethren from the city, The Slow Readers Club have taken a longer road to recognition. With a steady output of singles plus two full length studio albums including their s/t debut and 2015’s ‘Cavalcade’ proving their pedigree, remarkably the band have yet to truly capture the limelight despite amassing a distinct and significant cult following from the shadows.
Always self-funded and with no more than word of mouth and their repertoire at their disposal, the band have achieved so much already. They have spellbound arena audiences at the likes of the Castlefield Bowl, Liverpool Echo Arena, Manchester Arena and many more whilst touring with James – a slot they were handpicked by the headliners for it should be noted. They have become festival favourites with gripping sets at the Isle Of Wight, Festival No6, Kendal Calling, Dot To Dot, Victorious Festival, and Sounds Of the City. They have conquered the capacious halls of their hometown without so much of a whisper beforehand, notably with crowds flocking to the sold-out The Ritz venue last year which sold out in record time.
However, it seems like the ubiquitous ‘READERS’ chants bellowed by their devoted fans echoing around the country are finally beginning to make waves. With full capacity gigs at Glasgow’s hallowed King Tut’s already on the cards and tickets for their upcoming appearance at The Garage in London selling like hot cakes in the wake of their triumphant sold-out show at the capital’s Borderline and OSLO venues on their last visit, it feels like The Slow Readers Club’s time may finally be upon us.
Testament to their hard work and enduring sound – on the 24th November 2017, the Manchester band will be welcomed home by a 2000-capacity SOLD OUT crowd for what will be biggest headline show to date at city’s salubrious Albert Hall venue.
With the promise of new material on the way, and thrilling new single ‘Lunatic’ sure to become a live favourite, you can catch the band on tour at the following dates this Autumn:
THE SLOW READERS CLUB – AUTUMN TOUR 2017
21st October – The Button Factory, Dublin
4th November – Academy 2, Birmingham
10th November – The Garage, London
17th November – Thekla, Bristol
23rd November – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
24th November – The Albert Hall, Manchester [SOLD OUT]
9th December – King Tuts, Glasgow [SOLD OUT]