An unexpected second chapter in the Haircut 100 story gathered pace last year when their single ‘The Unloving Plum’, became Radio 2’s Record of the Week and the band played sold out shows across North America and The UK . Pre-Order Boxing The Compass here.
The band is known for the 1980s UK/US hits ‘Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)’, ‘Love Plus One’, ‘Fantastic Day’ and ‘Nobody’s Fool’.
Talking about the new album, frontman Nick Heyward says: "‘Boxing the Compass’ is the traditional way of finding out where you are on land or sea using the compass rose. We’re arriving back at the port we left 43 years ago with a log of songs from our personal travels. Wherever I’ve been in the world, I’ve always been Nick Heyward of Haircut 100 and we’re all ready to set sail again for more adventures on the high seas."
Bassist Les Nemes adds: "We still tend to record in the old school fashion as much as possible, the technology moves forward all the time but our creativity and the way we approach the writing, performance and recording still has its roots firmly in 1982.”
On capturing the 'Haircut' signature sound guitarist Graham Jones says: "When we were recording backing tracks with Sean Read at Famous Times Studio, he watched us working in our unique way and said something like, “Ahh, I get it, I see how you get the Haircut sound”. It’s what happens when you know and trust the other members to be themselves. We know when it’s not 'Haircut’."
Watch 'The Unloving Plum' on YouTube
Boxing The Compass will be just the second album from the classic line-up since 1982’s UK platinum-certified #2 record Pelican West (another album minus Nick Heyward, Paint and Paint, followed in 1984).
Nick Heyward (vocals/guitar), Graham Jones (guitar) and Les Nemes (bass) had reconvened to discuss issues around the band, but that business meeting felt more like a reunion of old friends. Things soon snowballed from a comeback gig at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire to a full UK headline tour, with drummer Blair Cunningham also subsequently jumping back onboard.
Subsequent writing and recording sessions took place with Sean Read (Dexys) at Famous Times studio in East London.
Subsequent writing and recording sessions took place with Sean Read (Dexys) at Famous Times studio in East London.
Nemes talks about recording together after such a long period of time. "When you are recording an album, you just have to turn up every day, the universe will take care of everything else and it has never let us down. All you have to do is trust, never question and the ideas will flow out of you.” He continues: "We are best mates but also .. we are a band, we live like a band, we talk like a band, we act and feel like a band and we play and record like a band, that is where the magic happens, we light a spark inside each other as soon as we switch on the amps, plug in and play the first note or kick drum beat. We don't think about it, it just happens and we trust that it always will.”
Jones adds: "Playing with Les, Blair and Nick never disappoints and always throws up surprises. When recording I just know that Blair will keep the band steady and tight, Les will play a melodic bass line you would never expect and Nick’s lyrics will take you somewhere you never knew existed.”
Jones adds: "Playing with Les, Blair and Nick never disappoints and always throws up surprises. When recording I just know that Blair will keep the band steady and tight, Les will play a melodic bass line you would never expect and Nick’s lyrics will take you somewhere you never knew existed.”
Boxing The Compass will be released on digital, CD and vinyl formats.
Listen to 'Dynamite' on YouTube:
Track list:
1. ‘Come Back To Me’
2. ‘Vanishing Point’
3. ‘Soul Bird’
4. ‘Raincloud’
5. ‘Sunshine’
6. ‘The Unloving Plum’
7. ‘Someone’
8. ‘That’s a Start’
9. ‘Dynamite’
10. ‘A Wonderful Life’
