The Family Battenburg - Spider Rock Forever 
Release Date: Out Now
The glamrock rumble of 'Foggy' that introduces the 'Spider Rock Forever' EP from Welsh outfit the Family Battenburg is a thing of primal glory and it is just a taste of what's to come with it's mix of Super Furry Animals and Queens of the Stone Age all mixed by Bobby Gillespie. 'Gwyllgi' (aka a mythical Welsh dog of darkness) straps on a pair of psychedelic trousers and goes out walking on the moors with nothing but some acid and a glowstick for company - hoping beyond hope that the ungodly squall of guitars will keep it safe from harm.
On 'Friend Of Mine', the band take the energy levels down a notch with an acoustic strum that sounds like it was found on a lost 78 before 'Spiders' comes crashing through the window like Erotic Secrets of Pompeii after a week listening to nothing but Marc Bolan and Frank Zappa. Former single 'Anteater' is as urgent, swaggering and bold as ever with shimmering guitars and the kind of vocal delivery that straddles the gap between indie and garage-rock whilst wearing nothing but assless chaps. Closing track (and song title of the year contender) 'Ghouls! Conga Line!' lures you in with some quiet wooziness before cranking up the guitar and borrowing a stomping beat from the Sweet that makes you feel like you're in a conga line making slow progress through a Louisiana swamp. The mix of influences, sounds and ideas on this EP is a wondrous thing and also means it stands up to many repeated listens. In fact, I might go an listen again right now....
More information: https://www.facebook.com/thefamilybattenberg
Live Dates:
31.10 | Clwb Ifor Bach | Cardiff
04.11 | Hare & Hounds | Birmingham
06.11 | The Louisiana | Bristol
07.11 | The Washington | Sheffield
08.11 | Rat & Pigeon | Manchester
13.11 | The Shacklewell Arms | London
14.11 | Bloom | Birkenhead
15.11 | Live at Leeds