Graham Day and the Forefathers - Good Things

  by Fiona Hutchings

published: 6 / 8 / 2019

Label: Select Label
Format: N/A

intro

In our 'Re:View' section. in which our writers reflect on albums from the past. Fiona Hutchings examines Medway garage rockers Graham Day and the Forefathers reissue of their 2014 album 'Good Things' which features three bonus tracks.

Between them, Graham Day (vocals, guitar), Allan Crockford (bass, vocals) and Wolf Howard (drums) bring together decades of experience and what they see as the crucial ingredients from bands like the Prisoners, Prime Movers and Solarflares. The resulting "muscular version" of Medway garage-rock, evokes 60's/70's psychedelia, rock and indie that could be from the 80's or 90's and somehow all combine to make a timeless, individual but also recognisable and accessible sound. The title track opens proceedings at a blistering pace with distorted guitars and Howard's drums never slow down. ' Can't Get You Out Of My Mind' does what it promises with a hook I haven't managed to stop humming yet. You Always Find A Way To Hurt Me' is moody, resigned but not pathetic. The same can be said of 'Begging You' but I'm thinking some relationship counselling might be a good idea and by 'You Want Blood' I am pretty sure an intervention might be required! 'Sitar Spangled Banner' is a gem of an instrumental and 'Get Off My Track' closes out the album with satisfying ferocity. Fifteen tracks, forty five energising minutes,leaves you feeling that little bit more alive. The three bonus tracks are sprinkled through the second half of the album. 'Love Me Lies' and '30-60-90' were previously only available on a long sold out '45 released on State Records. The third track is a version of Jimi Hendrix's 'Freedom'. All three where recorded at the same time as the original album. I'm not entirely sure why they weren't included then or why they're choosing to release this expanded edition now, but as the saying goes, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth.". The band don't do many live gigs but if you get the chance to catch them I think you'll be in for a great night. There is a school of thought that says the Forefathers are their own tribute act. The three have played previously in various combinations including all together as the Prime Movers and Solarflares as well as with other artists both together and separately. Doesn't any band look at what worked and didn't work on their last record and try and take that forward to some extent? Anyway if you take it as a tribute to their combined wealth of knowledge, experience and talent then yes, it certainly is that.

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