The iconic Crystal Set continue to build momentum on their exciting comeback with the release of a new single ‘Pretty Schemes’ that we are honoured to exclusively premiere here at Backseat Mafia. And added to this, the band has announced an expanded tour across the Eastern Coast over the remaining year.
‘Pretty Schemes’ shows that the band has quite a few colours in its sonic palette – it’s a dirty swampy bluesy romp delivered with a muscular swagger and a sardonic air. With a soaring chorus, singer Russell Kilbey’s vocals drips with attitude over the rumbling, ominous rhythm section. There is a touch of Alabama 3, a dash of Nick Cave, Rowland S Howard and a gospel flavour mixed in with the dirt. This isn’t pretty jingle jangle paisley but a lot of brutal cathartic fun.
The song is part of the band’s new songwriting since they reformed – it was written in February and Kilbey says:
I can’t control the muse but I was keen to write something fun to perform as this is our primary objective in this strange world we find ourselves. We have a pure intent, to thoroughly entertain ourselves and any one who turns up.
There is certainly a tongue planted firmly in the cheek with the move away from the trademark psychedelic jingle jangle sound usually associated with this band, reflected in the name of the band’s new album due out in October – ‘Don’t Peak Early’. Apt for band that seemingly peaked early in its career after a couple of brilliant albums in the late eighties early nineties and then have returned with a flourish better than ever more than twenty years later.
‘Pretty Schemes’ is out tomorrow and available to download and stream here and via all the usual sites.
Crystal Set are:
Russell Kilbey-Vocal and Acoustic guitars
Phil Maher -Guitars and Backing Vocals
Rudi Weber-Drums and Backing Vocals
Paul Abrahams- Bass
Murray Cook- Keyboards
Crystal Set have also announced an expanded tour for the remainder of the year down the East Coast of Australia.
Joining the band permanently is Paul Abrahams(The Reels, Wendy Mathews) on bass and filling in for Craig Hooper is Murray Cook. (Warumpi, Mentals, Midnight Oil)
The 12 date tour includes frequent visitors on the Backseat Mafia pages Alannah Russack of Hummingbirds fame as well Logan Kilbey’s band Postcards from Pluto. Kilbey says:
I love watching them and being autistic and having my family around makes the whole prospect of leaving home and performing a lot less stressful for me. Alannah is a dear friend too so I’m sure there will be cross pollination and a wonderful joie de vivre.
Postcards from Pluto’s latest single an instant classic ‘Chocolate’ was released a few weeks ago see my review here.
Tour Dates
Thurs 15th Oct La La Las.Wollongong
Fri 16th Oct Marrickville Bowling Club
Sat 17th Oct Hamilton Station Hotel Newcastle
Fri 30 Oct Banshees Bar Ipswich
Sat 31st Oct The Presynct Nambour
Sun 1st Nov The Brightside Brisbane
Fri 4th Dec Volta Ballarat
Sat 5th Dec Northcote Social Club Melbourne
Sun 6th Dec Sooki Lounge Belgrave.
Fri Dec 11 Smiths Alternative Canberra.
Sat Dec 12 Link and Pin Woy Woy
Feature Photograph: Stephen McKenzie
