More Kicks

2017-2023

Hard one, but there it is. It’s been a total pleasure to make music for the past six years as MORE KICKS but it’s time to say adiós. Two LPs, four singles, gigs across Europe and the US. Records released on labels we love such as Dirtnap Records , Stardumb Records, Wanda Records, Snap Records, Dirt Cult Records, Beluga Records, Adrenalin Fix Music. Hotel rooms, flats, camper vans, inflatable mattresses, festival stages, squat stages, no-stages shared across multiple cities; mountains of ginger for aching throats belonging to paranoid singers; litres of gin and tonic ‘for the stage’. Three men driving around the globe in small vehicles with bass cases and assorted paraphernalia jabbing them in the head. What a trip.

There are so many people to thank. Too many. Label bosses, bookers, promoters, sofa-bed providers. Dear friends and people we had never met going above and beyond to help us pull tours together. And of course, all those who came the gigs, bought a record, came to say ‘hi’, said that we were ‘brutales’, too loud, too soft, asked if we were really British (we sort of are). A sincere thanks to all.

An absolute blast.

Sulli, Paolo, Kris xxx

Their music is bright, punchy and ass-shakingly upbeat and their live performance was utterly delightful – definitely a highlight from last summer. More Kicks is their debut LP: it’s 60’s-inspired in the very best of ways with hooks and garagey beats galore. So many excellent tracks! My top picks is the 60’s garage (with organ!) and completely addictive “She’s a Reaction,” followed closely by another ear-worm ready track “Blame it on the Satellite.” Also of very notable mention: their first single “It’s a Drag,” “Rock N Roll Again,” the lo-fi jangly “Ain’t That Just the Way” and the garage-thrasher “Your Vibration” – that video below from Dirtnap Fest (but I didn’t record it).

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They released the first single from Punch Drunk, “Animal,” last month and my decidedly non-high-brow review of it was “I freaking love it!!!! “Animal” ticks every one of my boxes: punchy power pop/garage, a bit psychedelic and relentlessly catchy and ass-shaking.” That sentiment hasn’t changed at all – I love this song so much and it’s making its way onto a few of my playlists immediately. It’s definitely one of my top tracks on the album. “Terminal Love” is another great one: a bit of a loud-quiet-loud vibe, melodic and danceable. “Seven Ways” is a bit edgier with great driving guitar (James Sullivan) and bass (Paolo Mantovani) riffs, and some serious beats (courtesy of drummer Kris Hood). “Come Home” is upbeat jangly garage pop, “Colour Me Stupefied” has a Byrds meets 60’s Beatles Britpop sound while “Good Enough” is an all-out pop-rocker. “Phoney Middle Aged Art” wins for best song title on the record and “Rest of Our Lives” for best use of killer 60’s style organ.

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More Kicks “Animal” 2022. Dirtnap Records. Limited edition (100) Green Noise/Stardumb Records 7″ green vinyl. “Animal” is the first single from More Kicks’ forthcoming LP Punch Drunk and I freaking love it!!!! “Animal” ticks every one of my boxes: punchy power pop/garage, a bit psychedelic and relentlessly catchy and ass-shaking. I fell in love with these Londoners at Dirtnap Fest this past June; it was the first time we saw them perform (I think it was their first US tour) so getting this new release in the mail yesterday was an excellent treat. Side B has two single-exclusive tracks: “The Wind Up,” a crashingly hard all-out rocker with a twangy psychedelic bridge (it’s awesome), and “Ten Miles High,” a sweetly acoustic 60’s-style Americana-ish folk song that Green Noise’s website describes as “Alex Chilton strolling across Abbey Road.” Stay tuned for more about More Kicks on September 15th, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to write about their upcoming LP release on that date 😉

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More Kicks at Dirtnap Records Fest

The 7″ single has the power pop track “Blame It on the Satellite” on Side A. Side B has another slightly jangly and melodic power pop track, “Ain’t That Just the Way” as well as “Your Vibration,” which is my favorite of the three songs.  It’s fast and crashing and catchy as hell. I’ve got their EP Animal on pre-order and I can’t wait to hear it.

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