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BAD FRIDAY!
Peluché,
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The Windmill, Brixton
Good Friday, 14th April 2017
3pm till late

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Single/Download Review

The Popguns
Lovejunky Matinee Recordings

Article written by Kev W - Oct 23, 2014

It's difficult to tell whether Matinee Records have a close ear to the ground, waiting patiently for the first signs that any underrated indiepop bands from the past are ready to reform, or whether they have a knack of coaxing groups back together to relive former glories. And reliving former glories is the least you could say, for it's rare that any of these comeback releases are a let-down in any way. We'll go for the ear to the ground option at a guess for their involvement in Brighton guitar-poppers' The Popguns first single in 18 years. The band's four original members reunited in 2012 along with a new drummer and backing singer and have since packed in some impressive gigs.

The music almost doesn't require an explanation; you can guess what it's like. The only issue is whether this is a lightweight comeback or the announcement of a storming return. It's the latter, naturally. If ever their name suited them, then it's on 'Lovejunky', as they shoot a honey-coated blast of powerpop at our ears, scoring a direct hit. Melody spills over the sides, sparkles fly from its tail and it's so infectious it should probably be kept in quarantine. But anyone can knock together a decent track in that amount of time, right? Well, maybe, but they've only been a band again for two years, and on 'Long Way To Fall' they repeat the trick with some added lead guitar (think J Mascis had he been in The Primitives) and the giddy buzz is just as effective as the lead track. On 'Home Late' (both B-sides are exclusive to the single and won't be on forthcoming album 'Pop Fiction'), we're treated to the sweetest of comedowns as the guitars switch to a more jangling and acoustic style and the song is heavy on the tune front. The harmonies are the cherry on top of the icing on the cake, and if they can afford to reserve material of this calibre as a B-side, that album will have been worth every second of its near two decade wait.

Links:
http://www.popguns.net/
https://www.facebook.com/ThePopgunsBand
http://matineerecordings.com/item.php?item_id=254