The Clockworks - Can I Speak To A Manager
The Clockworks are a four piece post punk band from Galway but based in London, they are, James McGregor (vocals/guitar), Sean Connelly (guitar), Damian Greaney (drums) and Tom Freeman (bass).
Relocating to London in 2019, the quartet signed to Alan McGee’s new record label Creation23 almost overnight. They have since impressed audiences across Europe with live performances at festivals including Eurosonic and Electric Picnic, performing to a huge crowd at Sefton Park in Liverpool in support of Kings of Leon, as well as a head turning televised appearance on Sky 1’s Soccer AM.
And the media have been quick to show their support too, with Louder Than War magazine praising their: “
devilish eccentricity and high energy. They look as sharp as they sound,
and CLASH effusing their ‘
ferocious sense of purpose, with the careering post-punk guitar lines.
Previous single The Future Is Not What It Was was played by BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac on her “New Names” showcase, BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq on his ‘Recommends' show, received day-time radio play on RTÉ 2FM, and even impress the legendary Rodney Bingenheimer show in the States on Sirius XM.
Their latest single Can I Speak To A Manager was recorded by Paul Tipler at Unit 13 Studios, London. It was mixed by Rocky O’Reilly at Start Together Studios in Belfast, with final mastering undertaken by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering and is released today, Friday 14 August.
When asked to comment on the track vocalist McGregor says:
Musically I think it is one of the starkest and darkest tracks that we have. In essence it’s a simple story of getting a dodgy laptop and having no luck on the phone to the company who sold it. Without the “fast-food distraction” factor I hoped the laptop would provide, I looked around for something else to do and found nothing. Nothing on TV, nothing in the fridge, showering for some purpose….Spending money to try and buy some purpose just makes me more cynical...I wanted to sort of drill in the phrase Can I speak to a Manager?” to get a feeling that everywhere I look, that question is there.
Can I Speak To A Manager is a fast paced punk track, guitar hooks and riffs set the melody with an underlying rhythm set by the booming bass and catchy dream beat.
Lyrically it’s barbed, expressing anger but cleverly framed with a heavy dose of wit, I loved the lines when James describes his telephone chat when he he sings “Tina’s been a jobsworth using her work as a vehicle, all I wanted was a refund all I’m getting is an earful” and that humour continues as he sings “the fridge is desolate and this toast has been cremated, god knows it’s desperate when a shower is entertainment”.
Can I Speak To A Manager is a frenzied and frivolous piece of fantastic punk, the angst of the situation comes out in the booming rhythm of the track and the witty tirade of the lyrics, it’s a song that will punch you straight in the gut.
The Clockworks are certainly on an upward curve, look out for them bursting out the box once lockdown restrictions are eased and we can see the lads playing this and the other great tunes in their repertoire.
Give Can I Speak To A Manager a stream now:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0cukTcswHoeGkRcopNcjUE?si=ZexhWrNNSI6ZOW-_K1XfOg
The Clockworks can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Spotify pages:
https://www.facebook.com/theclockdoesntwork/
https://instagram.com/theclockworksband?igshid=17b8oltrlv7yw
https://twitter.com/daclockworks?s=21
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Jg3DFzPWX2VIy01oqLGkz?si=-uu_0XWDSduMPFTFzukwFw
