Punching Holes single released today ...
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Punching Holes release a new digital single next week. "Let's Go To Mars"
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE LET’S GO TO MARS by PUNCHING HOLES, featuring Ian Boddy & John Simms Punching Holes, in one form or another, has been here off and on since 1980 as a continuing feast of collaboration between Brian Bond from Punishment of Luxury and some very talented musicians, recording songs either after Punilux in the 1980s or parallel to Punilux in the last 10 years. It’s been exciting to produce music that expresses conflicting emotions but leaves the listener with a happy, energetic sensation, feeling anything is possible. That’s what Let’s Go to Mars is about. About three years ago, an email came from Richard Sharpe, who was in Punching Holes 1982, then The Shamen, and is designer-producer of Punilux merchandise. He planted the seed by suggesting Brian could write a song called Let’s Go to Mars, with a ‘soul train vibe’. A simpler, slower version appeared in a rough demo. Three years passed. The seed germinated. This version has now surfaced, a roar of encouragement for advancing technology. After all, there will be trips to Mars one day. It’s also a feeling for those who want something better in life, and a howl of rage against scammers, trolls and fools who make life on Earth hard at times. Brian himself was scammed out of thousands in 2023 by a stranger pretending to be his son. For a while it seemed an attractive idea to leave and go somewhere else, far from exploiters, abusers, warmongers and self-serving politicians. Two vital members of Punilux came on board for this song: Stephen Robson (percussion, backing vocals, production/arrangement) and Jimmy Davis (bass & lead guitar), both perfectionists. They recorded the basic track in a Newcastle kitchen along with Brian (vocals, keyboards & acoustic guitar). Stephen as producer did 24 mixes in a Gateshead bedroom before he was satisfied. We then sent it to the electronic music composer Ian Boddy, who worked as an engineer/musician with Punching Holes in 1981, adding wondrous flourishes to Bits of Romeo on the Punching Holes vinyl album The Ghosts of Pilgrim Street (released by Richard Sharpe/Zenessex 2022). Since then, Ian’s career has blossomed, recording and touring abroad. Now he’s provided a pure ‘50s sci-fi sound, like a message from an alien civilization. Finally, Tim Jones, guitarist in Neon and Punching Holes 1981, mixed and mastered this song with superb skill, adding flashes of inspirational sound to the end section. This includes some fine electric guitar by John Simms, of Clear Blue Sky and John Simms Light Trails, as if space debris is screaming past our shuttle. It’s also highly important to thank the very talented James Jones for his excellent visual work producing an image that fits perfectly with the song in every possible way. His feel for colour, his sensitivity and his eye for design is unbelievable. Listeners have been kind with their comments on the track’s positive feel. This includes some who’ve suffered illness, addiction or abuse. If a song has the power to console, comfort or heal, then all’s well. Happy listening. |
ArchiveThese pages represent my best attempt at a musical journal, travelogue, archive record of my musical landscape and everything I have been involved in over the years. It features celebrated projects to undeveloped ideas, sketchpad moments, memories and general stuff that has been part of my creative endeavours and the Falling A Records story. I am attempting to place things in chronological order though as time passes and I trawl the crates in my loft, I am discovering that my record keeping has been quite vague at times. Please feel free to interact and correct where necessary. The page also serves as the archive page for the website and is where we post our various announcements etc., Archives
April 2025
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