Veronica Falls
There are more than a few ghosts haunting the debut UK release from glorious beat pop quartet Veronica Falls. One listen to “Found Love in a Graveyard” and you can almost see the spectres of C-86 bands past, such as The Pastels and The Shop Assistants, hovering serenely in the distance (indeed, the band even initially bonded over a shared passion for underrated British popsters Comet Gain).
Then, there’s the fact that the band are assembled from a number bands both past and present – The Royal Wee, Sexy Kids and Your Twenties among them. And finally, of course, there is the song itself – a perversely uplifting and gorgeously macabre pop classic, its infectious, soaraway chorus belying the fact that it is also flecked with darkness.
However, Veronica Falls are anything but revisionist in their approach. Theirs is a sound that is undoubtedly new, fresh and completely their own, which befits the history of the band thus far.
Only forming a year ago after Roxanne (vocals, guitar) and Patrick (drums) moved to London from Glasgow, they then recruited James (also on guitar), before press ganging their friend Marion into the band by teaching her how to play bass in a month.
In another twist of perfect serendipity, the band had their myspace site up for only an hour before they were contacted by Blank Dogs kingpin Mike Sniper, who quickly snapped up the band for a release on his much revered Captured Tracks label in the US, joining a stellar roster that also includes the likes of Dum Dum Girls, Woods, Crystal Stilts, Vivian Girls and many more.
Which brings us, neatly, to this single, released in the UK through the perennially cutting edge Trouble Records (also responsible for bringing the likes of Kasms, Crystal Castles, Le Volume Courbe, Koko Van Napoo and more to light), with the jangling, harmonising, unfettered pop delights of “Stephen” playing the delicious yin to “Found Love in a Graveyard”’s gothic-tinged yang, and displaying just some of the length and breadth of Veronica Falls’ musical prowess. Make no mistake, they deserve to be clutched tightly to your hearts.
TRACKLISTING
1. Found Love in a Graveyard
2. Stephen
UPCOMING LIVE DATES:
March 1 – NME Radar show @ Garage, London
March 2 – White Heat @ Madame Jo Jo’s w/ Dum Dum Girls
March 27 - The Playground @ 93 Feet East, London
April 3 - Dance Magic Dance Club @ Old Blue Last, London
May 1 - Camden Crawl
May 2 - Camden Crawl