Newcastle indie-punks FAST BLOOD are delighted to announce the release of their long-awaited debut album Sunny Blunts on 3rd May 2024, via South Wales punk label Scene Report Records.
The record will be available on pink/white galaxy vinyl limited to a run of 500 copies, as well as digitally on all good platforms.
Recorded and mixed by Chris McManus at Blank Studios, Newcastle Upon Tyne, and mastered by Will Killingsworth (ORCHID, AMPERE) at Dead Air Studios in Western Massachusetts, USA, Sunny Blunts is an absolutely colossal sounding slice of modern punk.
Hefty and soulful, complex but hook-laden, abrasive and thoughtful, the album is by far the band’s most ambitious achievement to date—a richly diverse collection of songs, all distinctive, commanding, and impactful in their own way.
As a taster of the record, FAST BLOOD have today revealed a video for lead single ‘Sexual Healing’, which is released on 14th March 2024 on all good digital service providers.
On this sledgehammer first single, frontwoman Abigail Barlow belts out a soaring vocal, dripping with frustration, as she “demands unashamedly to be fucked” in an empowered and unapologetic outburst of female sexuality and lust.
“Don’t be tempted to take this purely at face value,” she says about the song. “‘Sexual Healing’ is a feminist anthem and a celebration of sexual independence and equality—we wanted to reimagine Black Flag’s ‘Slip It In’ from a woman’s perspective'.”
FAST BLOOD have been making a name for themselves in the DIY punk scene in the North East of England since 2019 with their relentless, bereft-of-f*cks, sonic barrage. Since their first appearance opening for fellow North East legends Martha at the release party for their album Love Keeps Kicking, they’ve shared the stage with very fine company in the form of Mannequin Pussy, Pegboy and Toxic Reasons.
Frequently compared to Descendents, Hot Snakes, White Lung and Pretty Girls Make Graves, an unholy amalgamation of those bands would probably not be far off from their true sound—fast-paced, energetic punk rock with a nod to 90’s midwestern indie/emo, hardcore, and garage punk.
Barlow’s vocals are uplifting and infectious as she bellows honest, authentic, self-examining lyrics—from the overtly political to the deeply personal—in her proud North-East accent, and the band’s phenomenal rhythm section is driven by seasoned drummer Dave Allen, who has spent many years pulling shifts in celebrated hardcore bands such as VOORHEES and NATTERERS.
The band have had consistent support from BBC Introducing North East at radio, with previous glowing press from tastemakers at NARC Magazine, Louder Than War, Birthday Cake For Breakfast, For The Rabbits and God Is In The TV Zine.
FAST BLOOD have several UK live dates on sale now (see below for listings) appearing alongside Onlooker, Redshift, Good Grief, Code Break, bigfatbig, Wild Spelks and more, with further shows and album details to be revealed over the coming weeks.