Simon Breed - The Filth and Wonder of...Simon Breed

  by Helen Tipping

published: 19 / 6 / 2007

Label: Re-Action Records
Format: CDS

intro

Foul-mouthed, but refreshing and honest new EP from fiery London-based singer songwriter Simon Breed

The opening track, 'Cunts, Pricks, Wankers and Shits', the new song on London-based singer songwriter Simon Breed's new EP, is obviously going to be about people that Breed hates. This is a song about bullying, for people who are bullied and never hit back. I was never one of them, but I remember how upset a friend was when her daughter was being bullied and the school did nothing - how impotent she felt and how angry that she could do nothing, and this song is a primeval rage for those people. Musically, it reminds me of the Velvet Underground, with layers of sound and dirty guitars / keyboards grinding slowly to an end. 'Star of Nepal' is lighter to start with with jangling guitar, before it becomes heavy and dirtier - a song of love, lust and getting down and dirty. The Star of Nepal of the title is the lover to Breed's narrator. 'The Brother Song' is another song about bullying, this time for a younger brother who sticks up for someone being bullied and then becomes the subject of it. It starts off as spoken word about the reality of dealing with bullies, how schools try and deal with it, but sometimes it takes another family member, in this case the big brother, to do something about it in physical terms. His entrance into the lyrics is marked by the start of the music, which ends with Spanish style guitar. The marriage of the lyrical and the musical work together to suggest an ending that most of us would like to see where bullies are concerned. '(My Eyes Have Seen) the Glory of Your Face' is almost a hymn. The title seems to refer to songs about the glory of the Lord and all that, which is apt as the singer seems to be putting the subject of the song onto a pedestal, as he becomes aware of his feelings for her. About half way through the lyrics finish and the music continues on for another 4 minutes, building to a crescendo before slowing back down at the very end. 'Horse With No Cock' is for anyone whose ever been stuck for words on meeting their hero. Please, please never let me have to interview Nick Cave - this would be my fate. Breed is honest in his lyrics and tackles subjects that have faced most people at one time or another in a refreshing manner. He reminds us that we can all be the horse with no cock and that every day we have to deal with cunts, pricks, wankers and shits - not just at school, but later in life at work as well. And that we are allowed to be angry, to feel strong sexual urges and to be struck down dumb in front of those we admire greatly. I'd quite like to talk to him about his work, but I'd probably just say sorry and mumble off into a corner.

Track Listing:-