photo by Dave Lichterman
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Morning Show host John Richards, is “How You Like Me Now?” by The Heavy from their 2009 album The House That Dirt Built on Counter Records.
It’s about time good ‘ole fashion jungle blues danced into musical vogue and onto the airwaves. We can thank big, bad UK band The Heavy and their enticing psychedelic, freak beat voodoo charm. With their 2009 sophomore release, The House That Dirt Built, you can bet the four chaps from Noid, England, are here to stay. So watch your back — these sinister funk masters will find a home in the deep, dark pit of your soul before you know it.
After growing up trading reggae, hip hop and soul records, vocalist Kelvin Swaby and guitarist Dan Taylor decided to take their tuneful infatuation one step further and jam. What started as purely messing around on a guitar and slicing up soul beats on a sampler soon turned into a regular open mic night extravaganza. After booking some gigs and dumping disappointing drummers after bassists, Spencer Page (bass), Chris Ellul (drums) and Hannah Collins (vocals/keyboards - left the band in 2008) completed what we now know as The Heavy.
Aside from jailbait ballad “Sixteen,” the brassed out “How You Like Me Now?” is the shining star on the brilliant bare bones record. With scorched guitar, classic funk horn and James Brown-like vocals, Swaby says the song is a raw look at how people mask their vices in relationships. Once discovered, all most of us can say is “How you like me now?”
For more about The Heavy or to get your groove on, check out their MySpace page or website. If you missed them when they were in town last week, you’ll have to wait a while for them to return to the Northwest. For now, sit back (or get up) and enjoy a tasty live version of today’s Song of the Day recorded live in in the KEXP studio on October 30:
3 Comments
Wow. Now I’m really bummed I missed their show.
Great in-studio performance; even greater show at the Croc that night. Their music is strong, infectious stuff. People were actually rushing the stage, dancing with the band, and crowd surfing. WTF?! I loved it… and I think the band did, too. An amazing show that was ridiculously fun.
Sounds insane! But yes, I agree - they were absolutely sick in-studio, not to mention very nice chaps.