THE BACKSTORY:
Had a certain you-know-what not ruined our year, we’ve absolutely certain that Egyptian Blue would have stormed this summer’s festival season. Based in Brighton, the hotly-tipped four-piece have become renowned for their hi-octane, adrenaline-charged performances. Channelling Wire and Gang of Four, their edgy, combative post-punk sound offers an exhilarating jolt to the brain and a considerable wallop to the eardrums – and it’s even more thrilling in the live arena.
Egyptian Blue have been slowly developing that sound for a number of years now. Originally formed in Colchester, the band’s founding trio – Andy Buss and Leigh Ambrose, both on guitar and vocals, and Luke Phelps on bass – would spend their free time indulging in marathon jam sessions above a local jewellery store. As their ambitions began to flourish, the band relocated to Brighton where they added fresh-faced drummer Isaac Ide to the mix.
Their two EPs to date, last year’s Collateral Damage and latest release Body Of Itch, have rightfully seen them hailed as one of Britain’s most exciting young guitar acts. Showcasing their penchant for punky, in-your-face riffage and frantic rhythms, those EPs also revealed their fondness for socially aware, thought-provoking lyricism. Standout track ‘Never’, for example, explores the increasingly diminishing relationship between authority and the truth. “We need to constantly question what we’re being told, particularly from world leaders, whatever side they’re on,” the band explain.
Over the past year, the band have received plaudits from Bristol punkers Idles (“Fucking sick,” was frontman Joe Talbot’s glowing assessment), and they’ve also supported The Murder Capital and YAK on tour. Suffice to say, whenever live music finally returns to our schedules, Egyptian Blue are firmly at the top of our ‘must see’ list.
KEY TRACK: ‘Nylon Wire’. Clocking in at just over two minutes, this short, sharp slab of post-punk is the band’s most concise offering to date – and their most electrifying.
FOR FANS OF: Foals, Girl Band, Friendly Fires, The Strokes.
