{"title":"The Tubs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Tubs is a Norwegian rock group hailing from Høyanger. With Tor Egil Høyvik on vocals and guitar, Bjarte Johansen on guitar and vocals, Arve Ullebø on drums, and Bjørn Nesse on bass and vocals, they create an electrifying sound that captivates audiences worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormed in [year], The Tubs have been making waves in the music industry with their unique blend of rock influences. Their powerful performances and catchy melodies have earned them a dedicated fan base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a long-time fan or new to their music, The Tubs' energetic live shows are not to be missed. Get ready to rock out with this talented quartet as they continue to make their mark on the music scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"dead-meat","title":"Dead Meat","description":"\u003cp\u003eFeaturing current \/ former members of \u003cstrong\u003eJoanna Gruesome\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eEx-Void\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGN\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eSniffany\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eThe Nits\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLondon group \u003cstrong\u003eThe Tubs\u003c\/strong\u003e return to Trouble In Mind with their hotly anticipated full-length album entitled \u003cem\u003eDead Meat\u003c\/em\u003e. The band were formed in 2018 from the ashes of beloved UK post-punk band \u003cem\u003eJoanna Gruesome\u003c\/em\u003e by former members \u003cstrong\u003eOwen 'O' Williams\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eGeorge 'GN' Nicholls\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy incorporating elements of post-punk, traditional British folk, and guitar jangle seasoned by nonchalant \u003cem\u003eCleaners From Venus\u003c\/em\u003e-influenced pop hooks and contemporary antipodean indie bands (Twerps\/Goon Sax, et al), \u003cem\u003eDead Meat\u003c\/em\u003e is resplendent in hi-fidelity strum \u0026amp; thrum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt incorporates fleeting elements of post-punk and indie jangle, but the group’s penchant for trad British folk and Canterbury folk-rock takes a noticeable, caffeinated step forward. Echoes of \u003cem\u003eFairport Convention\u003c\/em\u003e’s decidedly English chime cross swords with singer \u003cstrong\u003eOwen Williams\u003c\/strong\u003e’ lyrics directing \u003cstrong\u003eBryan Ferry\u003c\/strong\u003e’s “thinking man’s libertine” persona into a more dolorous outlook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany songs (like “Round The Bend” and “Duped”) soar with an urgent strum under \u003cstrong\u003eWilliams\u003c\/strong\u003e’ acerbic lyrics, recalling a younger fiery \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e. They languish in an aching, bitter resignation (of both the situations described and the protagonist’s place in it), particularly near the album’s second half.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOthers like the previously released “I Don’t Know How It Works”, “Two Person Love” and “Illusion” (re-presented here as “Illusion Pt. II” and all rerecorded from their original 7-inch versions) up the urgency, implying that the journey for the person described in each tune is not over and may be even more desperate than before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe band has never been tighter and more dynamic, often imperceptibly ratcheting up the tension, an extra guitar strum overdubbed, a barely audible organ \/ synth cranking under a chorus or bridge, or unexpected backups from current \u003cstrong\u003eEx-Vöid\u003c\/strong\u003e (and ex-\u003cem\u003eJoanna Gruesome\u003c\/em\u003e) vocalist \u003cstrong\u003eLan McArdle\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Tubs\u003c\/strong\u003e are poised to take over your stereo - there’s no point in resisting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trouble In Mind","offers":[{"title":"Silver | LP","offer_id":50420437549387,"sku":"2000647","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50420436238667,"sku":"2000646","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red LP","offer_id":50420438827339,"sku":"2168969","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Tape","offer_id":50420435059019,"sku":"2000645","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50420430930251,"sku":"2000643","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Dead_Meat_1f402b82_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726752672"},{"product_id":"names","title":"Names","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Tubs were formed in 2019 by Owen Williams and George Nicholls, formerly of much-loved Welsh pop band Joanna Gruesome. The two hunkered down in rural North Wales to expand on the fuzzy, hook-laden sounds they propagated in their former outfit, this time incorporating elements of post-punk, traditional British folk, and guitar jangle seasoned by nonchalant Cleaners From Venus-influenced pop hooks and contemporary antipodean indie bands (Twerps \/ Goon Sax, et al). They hit the ground running, releasing the “I Don’t Know How It Works” 7-inch on Prefect Records in Feb. 2020 and playing gigs with UK colleagues like Porridge Radio, Ex-Void and Marcel Wave, as well as support for Flasher and Public Practice. After a few lineup shuffles, they recruited Max Warren (bass), Steve Stonholdt (guitar) and Matthew Green (drums) to solidify the current lineup. Trouble In Mind is honored to be co-releasing their newest effort worldwide, the “Names” 7-inch EP - our first 7-inch release in four years (that’s how good it is!) - alongside Prefect Records in the UK. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom note one, the \u003ci\u003eNames \u003c\/i\u003eEP is all business; “Illusion”s punchy riffs (suitable for stargazing or naval-gazing) gallop forward, with Williams pontificating on his reflected reality vs. the illusion of self; a two-minute earworm on gender confusion. “The Name Song” is next, with its persistent jangle, laundry list of Williams’ favorite Seventies names and instantly memorable chorus of “I don’t care about anyone” coyly delivered with a sardonic wink and nod. “Two Person Love”s fuzzy lead line opens side two, (an ode to “erotomania”) barreling forward like a Fairport deep cut on ephedrine. A woozy cover of Felt’s “Crystal Ball” ends the EP, a faithful love-letter to an obvious influence, draped in a gauzy flange. Wrapped in an eye-catching sleeve design by Total Control’s James Vinciguerra, the \u003ci\u003eNames\u003c\/i\u003e EP practically screams “essential”. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prefect Records","offers":[{"title":"Orange | 7\"","offer_id":50490853196107,"sku":"1121958","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/5174c688-5e46-4eac-a74d-e0f78e303adc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727676904"},{"product_id":"cotton-crown","title":"Cotton Crown","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Tubs' second album, \u003ci\u003eCotton Crown\u003c\/i\u003e, sees the Celtic Jangle boyband venture into darker, more personal territory while continuing to hone their highly addictive brand of songcraft. It’s a true level up album which sees the band expand their sonic palette to take in a kaleidoscopic range of influences: everything from soulful pub rock (Chain Reaction) to Husker Du aggression (One More Day) to melancholy sophisto-pop (Narcissist) gets a look in. As Pitchfork noted, The Tubs see jangle as a ‘vast world of moods and muses’ and Cotton Crown sees them continuing to explore this world and creating a distinctly Tubular sound in the process.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is in no small part down to Owen ‘O’ Williams’ vocal performance- often compared to a young Richard Thomson- and his frank, bleakly funny lyric writing. \u003ci\u003eCotton Crown\u003c\/i\u003e sees him delve further into his favourite themes of love-psychosis, unsympathetic mentally ill behaviour, and the humiliations of being a musician in London. This time around, however, there’s a palpable sense of risk in his self assessments \/ confessions. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo more so in the track’s closing track Strange- an accounting of the clumsy, intrusive, well-meaning social interactions that took place in the period following the suicide of his mother (the folk singer Charlotte Greig.) As  Williams says: “I’d tried a few times to write a song about it. The result had always seemed either mawkish, simplifying or like I was hawking my trauma. But then this one came out, and it felt right because it looked at something smaller: the weird, unsatisfying, strangely funny ways everyone, including myself, acted after the dust settled.” The album artwork features an image of Williams as an infant being breastfed by Greig in a graveyard- a promotional shot taken around the release of her debut album (the re-issue of which was featured in The Guardian in 2023.)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe essential trick \u003ci\u003eCotton Crown\u003c\/i\u003e plays is to offset Williams’ lyrical bleakness with joyous, hook-laden blasts of pop perfection. This is largely down to the guitar work of George Nicholls, who, across the album, effortlessly slips between the virtuoso jangle of Marr, the driving folk-rock of Pentangle and the chorus-heavy hi-fi grooves of contemporary bands like Tops or The 1975. Add to that the breakneck rhythm section of Taylor Stewart (Drums) and Max Warren (Bass)- who attack each song with power-pop ferocity, recalling Guided by Voices at their drunken-yet-tight best- and you’ve got yourself a recipe for indie rock greatness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeatures guest vocals from Lan McCardle (Joanna Gruesome\/Ex Void).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor fans of  Richard Thompson, The La’s, The Charlatans, Aztec Camera, Superchunk, The Chills, Felt, The Smiths, Pentangle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"LP - Daffodil","offer_id":51071533842763,"sku":"2228607","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51071533744459,"sku":"2228608","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Tape","offer_id":51071532958027,"sku":"2228609","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51071532794187,"sku":"2228610","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Light Lager","offer_id":55827336003915,"sku":"2228622","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Tubs_-_Cotton_Crown_bd36d831_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1736545744"},{"product_id":"hard-life","title":"Hard Life","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Tubs have never lacked for ambition — on \u003cem\u003eHard Life\u003c\/em\u003e, theirs is to complicate the Tub-ullar experience. Having perfected their chemistry across two prior albums, hundreds of shows, and an ever-expanding universe of bands affiliated with London’s Gob Nation Collective (The TSG, Sniffany and The Nits, Spike, and Garden Centre), the London-based Celtic jangle boyband — Williams (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass), Dan Lucas (guitar), Taylor Stewart (drums), and Max Warren (bass) — push themselves further into the shimmering heart of virtuosic indie rock. They’re joined by frequent collaborators Lan McArdle (vocals), George Nicholls (guitar), and Rachel Kenedy (keyboards), all of whom have orbited various Tubs-adjacent efforts dating back to Joanna Gruesome, but the secret to Hard Life’s lushness is the addition of fiddle player Chris Haigh, an instructor and session musician who left an indelible mark on British pop on Steps’ “5, 6, 7, 8.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMirroring Williams’ use of trilling on vocal melodies, Haigh’s fiddle shades the vocalist’s rueful croon like a bruise. On “Stoop to Me,” the folkiest, jangliest pop song on the album, Haigh’s licks complement Williams at his most self-deprecating, the lopsided smile of a guy trying not to let on how wounded he is in unrequited love. On album opener and title track “Hard Life,” it’s the sweetness of the ascending fiddle lines in the mix that weds the harshness of Williams’ lyrics to The Tubs’ fist-pumping anthemics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hard line Williams takes here and elsewhere on \u003cem\u003eHard Life\u003c\/em\u003e further troubles one’s idea of a Tubs song. The persona familiar to listeners of Cotton Crown and Dead Meat — to quote Williams, “navel gazing about romantic abjection, London squalor, and the indignities of grief and OCD” — is still present, but so too is a second voice, steelier and more experienced. “The second persona doesn’t have much time for the first,” Williams explains, “often haranguing him for his self-indulgence and immaturity; sometimes fairly, sometimes unfairly.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn \u003cem\u003eHard Life\u003c\/em\u003e, these voices argue, pester one another, merge into each other, and break apart, sometimes over the course of a single song. They’re two sides of the same coin, people who’ve experienced grief, disappointment, regret, and shame, emerging from the wreckage as changed men. “I’m interested in the way sympathy and patience for someone suffering always runs out eventually,” Williams says. “How this can be a good and liberating thing as well as a sad and brutal thing. But mostly they’re just pop songs.” Exquisite, irresistible pop songs. Spin them until the healing starts, then spin them again.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merge Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Natural with Blue and Yellow Swirl \/ Signed Print","offer_id":57647503114571,"sku":"R1125-2449","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57647503147339,"sku":"R1125-5774","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":57647503180107,"sku":"R1125-0211","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/THETUBS-HARDLIFE.jpg?v=1782136509"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_20a8d7db_thumbnail_4096_fe185e3f-d173-4788-9955-2e1de240c055.jpg?v=1726752603","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/the-tubs.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}