stickybackplastics – Reptile Smile

Garage-grunge alt-blues quartet stickybackplastics are thrilled to share their 2nd EP ‘Reptile Smile’, set for release on 27 March, for which we have the review link below.

Earlier this month we shared the free download single ‘Psycho Dreamer’ which is featured on the EP and comes with a bonus remix by Tim Muddiman (Gary Numan / PWEI) – link also below.

In ‘Reptile Smile’ stickybackplastics settle themselves into a grungy alt-Americana vibe, with this assertive follow-up to their 2014 self-titled debut. ‘Psycho Dreamer’ is a real dichotomy of a track: opening gently with an awesome bass groove and an authentic tape-recorded feel, before morphing into a disjointed psychedelic alt-blues masterpiece that wouldn’t be out of place on a David Lynch soundtrack. Continuing this throughout the outstanding record, closing track ‘Sick Man’ sees stickybackplastics toy with swirling bluesy riffs amid an air of stripped-down retro doom.

Of the EP, guitarist Roz Walker says: “Most of these new tracks examine the duality of human nature – hence the title, ‘Reptile Smile’ – and this idea that people can show themselves to be really positive or comforting on the outside, but inside their minds, sometimes they are trying to control you and use you for their own benefit. For us, this EP examines people…or demons in our lives that have had a similar effect on us, and exorcises them.”

The track comes with a remix of previous release ‘Toxic Secret’ (and seal of approval) from Tim Muddiman (guitarist for Gary Numan / Pop Will Eat Itself / Tim Muddiman and The Strange, who says of stickybackplastics’ work: “The longer I am a musician the more I get attached to every piece of music I listen to, write, perform or produce. I was sad to finish my remix of Toxic Secret because I liked the song so much”.

Latest addition to the band, Max Watt (bass) joined at the end of 2014,  just in time to aid the band for live shows, and his weird and wonderful personality has made a big impact on the band’s sound. An aspiring journalist, Max had worked with stickybackplastics’ drummer, Dom Smith on his print/online arts and culture publication, Soundsphere before being brought into stickybackplastics.
 
Taking inspiration from influences such as Garbage, Portishead and PJ Harvey, stickybackplastics have big plans for 2015: more shows, and a third EP will come at towards the end of the year.
 
‘Reptile Smile’ is released on 27 March and is available for £2.50 via their bandcamp.