Rising Bristol punk rock ‘n’ rollers Split Dogs have today released their first single for their new label.
And What? is the first song from their forthcoming second album, which will be released on Venn Records (home to Aerial Salad, Clobber and Bob Vylan, among others) later this year.
The band, who were formed in 2021, won rave reviews with their self-titled debut album, which came out on the Death Or Glory label last year.
Changes
Split Dogs have had a change of personnel since then, with new bassist Suez and drummer Chris joining founding members Harry on vocals and Mil on guitar.
They have played a number of prestigious support slots, with the likes of Sham 69, Subhumans, GBH and T.S.O.L. and Murphy’s Law.
Now, with their fanbase growing, and a debut appearance at Rebelllion Festival in Blackpool in the offing this August, they’re preparing to unleash album number two.
The stomping, high voltage And What? is the first taste of their new material, and guitarist Mil says it’s “a total embrace of working-class British seaside culture”.
“I grew up in south London and in 2016 relocated to a small coastal town in the south west. The song highlights the frustration of living and working in a seasonal holiday resort all summer with no holiday whilst the world around you has theirs.
“I’m also poking fun at myself for being grumpy and using some of the outdated British phrases my dad used to say to me as a kid. ‘On your bike son!'”
Sitcom humour
Split Dogs wanted the video for And What? to have the same optimistic British candour of classic sitcoms like Only Fools And Horses and Benidorm, with big nods to documentary photographer Martin Parr.
The band’s drummer and video director Chris says: “we wanted the video for And What? to be Split Dogs on a proper British summer holiday – fish and chips, ice creams and tattoos! Without blowing our own trumpet we think we hit the nail on the head. Big up the locals and the seagulls.”
Vocalist Harry says: “The new single and the rest of our upcoming album has all been recorded on 16-track tape, with no computer in sight. It gives the album a sound that can’t be replicated with a modern recording system. You feel like you’re in the room with us, like you’re part of the song. The first time you hear it, it already feels familiar.”
The band have just finished work on the new album, with more info and a release date coming soon. In the meantime, you can catch Split Dogs live at the following dates:
17/05 – Rough Trade, Bristol
19/05 – Hope and Anchor, Islington
24/05 – The Fleece, Bristol w/UK Subs
26/05 – Bearded Theory Festival, Derbyshire
15/06 – Red Lion, Leytonstone w/ Shooting Daggers, the Oppressed, Clobber, Rifle
11/07 – Blondies, London
20/07 – Shacklewell Arms, London
02/08 – Rebellion Festival, Blackpool
09/08 – Daltons, Brighton
