Intoxicating and highly revered, British band ‘Sports Team’ released the third single to feature on their upcoming album ‘Boys These Days’ this month. Titled ‘Bang Bang Bang’, the single covers topics of American gun culture, which is emphasised with an accompanying Western-style sound.
Consisting of lead vocalist Alex Rice, guitarist and vocalist Rob Knaggs, lead guitarist Henry Young, bassist Oli Dewdney, drummer Al Greenwood and keyboardist Ben Mack, the London-based band ‘Sports Team’ specialise in rock hits that often discuss England’s culture, and factor in elements of both realism and romanticism. They have a steadily growing discography, which includes two EPs and two complete albums, and impressively boasts a Mercury Prize nomination thanks to their debut album ‘Deep Down Happy’.
Noted for their ambition and passion for music, Sports Team are getting better and better every day – a fact proven by their latest single ‘Bang Bang Bang’. With a unique and effective cowboy-rock sound, this single strays from the typical influence of England and its culture. A contributing factor to the blunt lyricism regarding gun culture? Quite simply, the band were robbed at gunpoint on the first day of their US tour.
Whilst the band were stopping off for some coffee in San Francisco, they confronted somebody taking personal belongings from their tour van, and, when they tried to intervene, were met with a gun. Whilst the song and its message had been produced prior to the incident, the track gained a deeper significance and poignancy after the event. The band recalls the flippancy and lack of reaction during. Rob Knaggs commented:
I think what was shocking was how blasé people were. You’re queuing for coffee. And then you’re trying to negotiate with somebody waving a pistol around. The staff come and lock the doors, telling you to step away from the windows. You’re trying to barricade yourself in the toilet and they’re still doing the squirty cream on the drinks.
Initially fearing they would misrepresent gun violence and culture, due to the fact they hadn’t personally experienced it, Sports Team absolutely qualified for having a voice on the topic. They were still able to complete their tour, to widespread positive reception, and didn’t let the negative experience affect their music. If that isn’t a statement on their commitment as a band, I don’t know what is.
With a seemingly surreal story and a strong, distinctive tone, Sports Team’s ‘Bang Bang Bang’ is a great addition to their new album that is set to release on February 28th. It is absolutely not one to miss, and you should check out their Spotify at the link below.
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