By Daffs (TwoDaff)
Medway band, Theatre Royal are set to release a new 5 track EP, ‘Beneath the floor’ on July 18th 2022. ‘Beneath the floor’ is made up of 4 unreleased tracks from the ‘Portraits’ recording sessions that have been revisited, tinkered with and tweaked.
This is the first new music since the release of 5th album, ‘Portraits’ and is being released just as they start the recording of album no.6, pencilled in for release Summer 2023. The release of ‘Beneath the floor’ is supported by a big hometown outdoor show at Rochester Castle supporting The Human League.
Originally a four-piece outfit they are now five as Chris Kingman joined on Saxophone and other instruments adding to their sound, a mix of old-fashioned rock n roll, 60s Beat, Psychedelia, Country, Punk, Folk, the alternative sound of 1980s, Grunge and of course Britpop, something for everyone.
The lead track ‘1994’ was released on July 8th and again, we at awayday radio were given a sneak preview of not only this but the whole kit and caboodle. All the songs are little stories, everyone different but with one intrinsic thing in common, harmonious melodies tinged with a sixties feel and a great vocal, the addition of the sax just adds to their sound making it fuller.
1994 is a tale of a wayward friend, jangly guitars on top of a low sax tone give this tale a harmonious vibe, there’s a shrill of synths in there if I’m not mistaken too, it almost reminds me of the mod revival era of the late seventies’ early eighties, Oliver’s vocal cuts through the smooth buttery tones like a knife, and the sax chugs away in the background. It is an uplifting track even though (allegedly about a wayward friend) Oliver pleads ‘Don’t change. A strong lead track in my opinion.
“a harmonious vibe”
Up next is ‘Ship beneath the floor’ and is a complete change in pace, sound and mood. Almost eerie, steeped in mystery. Laden with synths its smooth. A song inspired by a mystery ship buried beneath the floor of Chatham docks. Lots of deep vocal harmonies take you on a subterranean journey before Oliver’s unmistakable vocal lifts you back above the floorboards. “Unknown – What lies beneath” You could almost sail away on this. I really like this track…in fact its my favourite track on the EP, I think it is the air of mystery and it is captured perfectly.
‘You didn’t see it’ sees a change again, almost Dylan-esque but the vocal again is sublime, emotive and direct, acoustic guitars are melodic throughout with harmonica fills. A song of loss and distant memories. It’s a true reflection of the bands ability to recreate a solid sixties folk feel and bringing it into the modern era. “And still we’re laughing, but now there’s tears where laughter fades” Oliver states wistfully, almost melancholy.
“sublime, emotive and direct”
The penultimate track is ‘Talking to Tracey’ which according to the band is “Billy Liar via Medway Council”, to me it’s a tale of escapism from the drudgery of the daily grind, fantasising about getting away, dreaming of release. This has a real ‘Who’ feel about it to me, perhaps something from the Tommy era. Again, the vocal is brilliant, the underlying guitar riffs are full of melody, solid bass fills and again the sax pulls it all together, this is a great track in my opinion.
And finally, we have ‘The End’…one word, Emotion, sums this song up, a song dedicated to the loss of their friend Jon Lappin. Again, a different sound, guitar driven, an almost quavering vocal adds to the emotion along with a touch of reverb in the guitars, beautiful lyrics and the passion, you can feel it. knowing what the song is about gives you a bit of a lump in the old throat. But it’s a fantastic song and not knowing Jon I am sure he would be proud of this track.
“a menagerie of influences gives them a very unique sound”
So, to sum up, I have to be honest and admit that I hadn’t heard this band before…sorry guys…BUT and it’s a massive but I will certainly be going through their back catalogue, the songs are really put together well, everything is smooth, it all blends, they have great variety in the tracks that they have produced in this EP. Accomplished instrumentals, a fantastic vocal filled with emotive, descriptive lyrics and a menagerie of influences gives them a very unique sound. I for one can’t believe I haven’t heard these before. Go and give them a listen…
Social Media and website links.
https://www.wearetheatreroyal.co.uk/
https://theatreroyal.bandcamp.com/music
