MICKO & THE MELLOTRONICS - Share New Single "Misery Guts" Out Now
MICKO & THE MELLOTRONICS
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“MISERY GUTS”
OUT NOW
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Micko & The Mellotronics have announced their infectious new single “Misery Guts”, out now.
Following on from the release of “Would You Believe It” earlier this summer, Micko & The Mellotronics release “Misery Guts”. A self apparent ‘cartoon noir’, the track pairs a solid, dynamic rhythm section with part-orchestrated, part-abstracted guitar work courtesy of Paul Cuddeford (The Boomtown Rats/Holy Holy). Lyrically, it follows a couple who function around giving as good as they get.
Speaking about the characters in the song, frontman Micko Westmoreland explains: “They have dedicated their earthly energy to complaint, projected externally and onto each other, terrified to look in their own backyard and ultimately own up to the behaviour. The mirror is a painful place for many. But it’s more than we can bear to face up to it all, states a lyric from the song.”
The initial inspiration for the track’s tragic tone was taken from former Doctor Who star Tom Baker. While reading the actor’s biography years ago, Micko was struck by his comments on the bizarre notion of couples perfecting exquisite torture upon each other over time. The idea stuck with him, and eventually arrived in song as “Misery Guts”. The release also marks Micko & The Mellotronics’ London show at The Fiddlers Elbow in Camden on 25th Oct.
“Misery Guts” marks the second single from Micko & The Mellotronics’ upcoming album ‘The Trinity’, scheduled for release in early 2026. Thematically, the record takes from the experience of mid-life issues, reflections on the past, politics with a small “p” and social observation. Human behaviour and its motivations have always been key elements in Westmoreland’s work.
Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey was also essential to the making of ‘The Trinity’, acting as an executive producer. Making suggestions left, right and centre on instrument choices, vocal sound and even harmonies, Kimsey’s support has been invaluable in the creation of recent singles and the upcoming album.
“Misery Guts” is out now. Listen here.
“Misery Guts” single artwork, credit: Garry Barker
About Micko & The Mellotronics
The Mellotronics formed in 2017 with the intention of turning Micko Westmoreland’s songwriting skills into a dynamic live prospect, and released their debut album ‘1/2 Dove 1/2 Pigeon’ in 2020. The new incarnation of The Mellotronics sees Micko’s rabble-rousing vocals and spiky, agitational guitar work augmented perfectly by the crack squad of drummer Jan Noble and Budge Magraw on bass (both previously from The Cesarians). Paul Cuddeford (Boomtown Rats) moonlights when in town.
Since then they’ve been busy cutting their teeth with a series of shows around the capital and beyond, making return visits to the 100 Club in Oxford Street and earning multiple requests for support slots from acts as established as Evan Dando (Lemonheads), The Woodentops, David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Blue Orchids, Sheep on Drugs, The Television Personalities and The Monochrome Set. Bringing a new dimension of sharp and economic post-punk/new wave attitude to the diverse Westmoreland songbook, they’ve been already been favourably compared to The Jam, Pil, Wire, XTC and Pulp as well as the mean, lean but undeniably powerful sound of Idles or Shame. The Mellotronics however have their own sound although the above references may spring to mind.
Live Dates
25th October - The Fiddlers Elbow, Camden
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Photo Credit: Peter Tainsh
