The Spitfires
Year Zero (Hatch)
Unless you’ve lived like a Trappist monk for the last few years you should have heard of, if not heard first hand, Watford-based four-piece The Spitfires. Their high octane, incendiary live shows have been laying waste to venues, festivals and events across Europe for some years now. As well as touring in their own right, The Spitfires have been hand-picked for support slots with The Specials, Paul Weller and (Dave Wakelin’s) The Beat among others. Defiantly independent, The Spitfires have achieved so much on their own terms. Both their critically acclaimed albums, Response (2015) and A Thousand Times (2016) reached the number six slot in the Independent charts, as well as impacting on the National top 100 album charts.
The single, So Long, topped the UK vinyl singles chart in 2016. Their latest long player Year Zero was released at the end of July 2018. With each album The Spitfires, through the songsmithery of frontman, guitarist, and live-wire singer Billy Sullivan have honed their craft, resulting in a 10-track socially aware collection of hard-hitting gems. On Year Zero the full range of influences are displayed to the fore, taking in punk, soul, classic British guitar pop, as well as elements of reggae and ska, and all points between and beyond. Opener Remains The Same sets the standard for what is to follow, and believe me the bar is set high.
From a tinkling intro which lulls into a false sense of security before becoming an electrically charged, high-voltage combination of choppy bass riffs, power chords and equally powerful lyrics. Contrastingly, Frontline tips its hat towards the type of sound that recentish indie guitar outfits aim for, with an equal balance of Clash-esque nous. Other highlghts include the lazy skank of Something Worth Fighting For, while Move On sees The Spitfires at their current state-of-the-nation observation best lyrically – imagine a young Paul Weller fronting The Clash during the Sandinista era.
Penultimate and title track Year Zero melds dub reggae and ska on a semi-instrumental revisit, deconstruction and reinvention of Ghost Town. The Spitfires have another winner with Year Zero, real music from a real band – they just get bigger and better. They started a nationwide tour last October – check The Spitfires’ website for full itinerary and other information. Sarge