Yes Sir Boss - Desperation State EP
Stone’d Records’ first signing Yes Sir Boss release the ‘Desperation State’ EP on May 7 The ‘Desperation State’ EP is a seamless blend of instant hooks, offbeat rhythms and epic riffs, encompassing elements of everything from ska, roots and reggae, to jazz, funk and indie.
The horn-led title track is, says front man Matt Sellors, 'a reflection on young people’s state of mind and the choices we make.' Next up is the reggae-tinged future smash, ‘Not Guilty,’ with its Spaghetti-Western style intro and infectious refrain, its lyrics all about 'greed, conspiracy, and the contradictions flaunted by our world leaders.'
‘Pretty Thing’ is, thankfully, simply about 'girls!', whilst the beguiling closing track ‘Never Know’ is the perfect backdrop to YSB’s Matt’s husky vocals and nice turns of phrase.
Yes Sir Boss are an eclectic collection of six college friends including Matt Sellors, bassist Josh Stopford, guitarist Luke Potter, drummer Reuben Nimmo, trumpeter Tom Lad, and saxophonist Jehan Abdel-Malak.
Together they have cultivated a truly original, distinct and indefinable sound that has elements of everything from a brooding Balkan blues band to a horn injected indie rock outfit... In the end, though, it's the melding of all their disparate sounds that makes YSB's shambolic, funky, rootsy, tunes so unique.
Having captivated audiences across the UK, Yes Sir Boss have been heralded for their energetic shows, earning them a reputation as one of Britain’s most dynamic new live bands. 'At our gigs, you can expect a mixture of musical influences and tight musicianship,' promises Matt.
And he’s not wrong. Last summer they completed a 40-date tour, including headline slots at the likes of Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival, Electric Picnic and Green Man, even finding time to record a Radio 1 Maida Vale session with Rob Da Bank.
So how did Joss Stone discover the boys? "We were on our way to a gig," Josh recalls. "We were lost in the fog and I accidentally called the first 'J' in my contacts, which happened to be Joss [Stone]." It turns out Stone and Stopford had remained in touch since they were kids and she'd been looking for a way to work with Yes Sir Boss.
Josh continues: "I said sorry, wrong number, but she said no I've been meaning to talk to you - do you want to come and support me in Amsterdam? Then, when she set up her own label it was like, I want to sign you guys because I think you're wicked."
You couldn’t make it up. And as for the name? Nicked from one of their lyrics of course, before they moved to Bristol "where the streets are paved with gold," jokes Matt.
The band are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album, due for release this summer, whilst the ‘Desperation State’ EP is out May 7. ‘Desperation State’
EP Track Listing
1. Not Guilty
2. Desperation State
3. Pretty Thing
4. Never Know