Stoke-on-Trent psych-punksters Christian Music have released their new EP European Tribunal. Led by visionary frontman Josh Baker, this four-piece have been making a name for themselves in their hometown over the last eighteen months, whilst their forays to London have already seen them perform headline slots at The Windmill and The Social. Drawing on punk, psych and hardcore, Christian Music blend these together and the result is a 100 mph slice of fast and frantic rock n roll. It’s raw, uncompromising and joyous, an explosion of exhilarating energy. Previous singles ‘Marimba-Tragic Death Cult’ and ‘Feed The Monkey’ set the scene early whilst tracks such as ‘Christian Music FC’ and ‘VRS’ highlight the band’s grooves and unique sense of melody.
The group have a hometown headline show in Stoke at The Underground with a line-up pack with local acts including University. They have a handful of further dates lined up through the year with more to come. Full detail below –
June
7 – Stoke-on-Trent The Underground
30 – Northwich The Salty Dog
July
25 – London The George Tavern (supporting Thumper)
August
30 – London Shacklewell Arms
October
12 – Twistarella Festival, Middlesbrough
In an age of hyper music consumption, Christian Music take a measured approach. They savour rather than devour their influences, living with records for months at a time. Artists such as The Fat White Family, Beck, Fugazi and Devo are key inspirations – one-of-a-kind acts that make music in their own world with their own philosophies. Their creativity, single-mindedness and dedication to their art is a key inspiration and reflects heavily in Christian Music’s own work. The end result is music which they make ultimately for themselves, and once released is open for anyone to interpret as they like. ‘Once the music is out there it no longer belongs to the band’, frontman Josh Baker says.
Working at The Underground, a venue in Stoke, has changed his life. The motivation for working there was to get into gigs for free, and so far, he’s been able to see many new and established bands up close, see what they’re doing, feel close to the energy and clarify his views on the current state of British music. It’s also where Christian Music recently supported friends University on a night of celebration for the local scene, one that galvanised the local community and shone a light on these emerging forces in UK music.
For more information on Christian Music please check their youtube and instagram.
