Chosen by Monk
There’s a saying about “new year, new start”. Well, it be only at the end of its first week, but to date 2021 certainly has not delivered the latter, with renewed, and even more stringent, lockdowns in place the length and breadth of the Über Kingdom (and beyond), with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel, despite the promises of vaccines offering some form of over-vaunted “miracle cure”. But, at least we still have music… at least for the meantime…
Despite being just a few days into the new rock ‘n’ roll year, there has been a healthy slew of new music pinging its way into the ÜRHQ inbox, and the number of submissions we received for our ‘Video Of The Week’ award was startlingly impressive, especially with the levels of creativity displayed in the adverse circumstances we continue to find ourselves. After viewing all of the entries, three videos stood out – but, at the end of the day (or night, depending on where you are in the Uberverse), there could be only one winner, and it is with great pride that we announce that the first VOTW gong of 2021 goes to London post-hardcore newcomers TV Priest and their wonderfully realized transcription of their new single, ‘Press Gang’.
The song itself is inspired by vocalist Charlie Drinkwater’s grandfather, who worked as a photojournalist and war correspondent on Fleet Street from the 1950s to the early 1980s.
“[It] is about the shifting role in the dissemination of information and ideas, and how the prevailing narrative that the “Death of Print Media” has contributed to a “post-truth” world,” Drinkwater told us. The subject is reflected in the accompanying clip, which contains some gloriously accurate retro touches, thanks to the incisive eye of director Joe Wheatley
‘Press Gang’ is the second single to be lifted from TV Priest’s forthcoming debut album, the optimistically titled ‘Uppers’, which is due to be released via Sub Pop on 15 February. The band are due to play two socially-distanced shows at London’s Oslo on 10 April. The 8pm show is sold out, and a few tickets remain for the 6pm one.
Well, there you go. That’s our first ‘Video Of The Week’ winner for what promises to be another traumatic year for the music business. Until next week, #StayAtHome, #KeepTheMusicAlive, #CrankItUp and #StayTheFuckSafe…
All written content © Über Rock. Not to be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of Über Rock.