PINK CIGAR - 'GET UP'

Pink Cigar's new video release 'Get Up' will have you on your feet as soon as you press play. A raucous army of musicians, Pink Cigar have yet again released another infectious, ear-worming tune that you will not be able to get out of your head. Formed in Ladbroke Grove by the infamous Whiplash Jackson (aka Sambongo Quango) on lead vocals, Edd Whyte on guitar and vocals, Sam Rutland on bass and Sid Mayall on drums, these boys have fully realised their purpose: delivering growling, gripping, unforgiving rock 'n' roll.

'Get Up', a song all about the "ups and downs of four boys tryna get to where they wanna be in life", is indicative of high energy rock 'n' roll at its apex. The tune begins with menacing slithers of guitar, courtesy of Whyte. Rutland then slides in with a devious, rumbling bass undertone. Mayall's drumming cradles the music with impeccable precision and punch. Then, Jackson's vocal lurches in, subtle yet powerful. The lyrics are as screwball as ever, with nods to the band's notoriously chaotic lifestyle - "The past was a blast if you're willing to ask / But to me, I don't remember a thing!"

Whyte should be especially proud of his delivery in the bridge. Who knew he had such a red-hot vocal? This particular section of 'Get Up' reveals the dirty-sweet sexiness that Pink Cigar have managed to conjure in their latest aural performance. Jackson's low, booming echoes contrast hilariously with Whyte's vocal, and make the bridge the whimsical highlight of the track. This red-hot bullet builds the tension to its peak, until the trigger finally explodes, plummeting us into the crescendo of a chorus.

In a live setting, 'Get Up' never fails to lock the audience in Pink Cigar's relentless jaws. What makes the song so impressive is how they've managed to capture the bite of their live sound on record. This tune was a strong contender for Number 1 on the soundtrack to my particularly drunken summer. I always looked forward to seeing it live, and all my mates made sure that everyone enjoyed it as much as we did at their resident shows in the Hawley Arms. Picture this: a room soaked with beer, broken glass lining the floors, and crowd surfing galore in a tiny dive that's barely big enough to fit a stage, let alone a brawl. It's seldom that an audio recording can capture the essence of a vitriolic live show, as Pink Cigar have done so effortlessly. Now I have the pleasure of being able to listen to it, and re-live it, over and over and over again.

Be sure to catch Pink Cigar at any of their next live dates, you won't regret it. They're playing tonight at the Mau Mau Bar, and you can follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up-to-date on their antics. Get involved. "Oh you know it boy".

Words by Alicia Carpenter

Photos obtained by Pink Cigar Press - Paul Boyling Photography