If you have been following THE HOT ONE TWO for the last six months, then you will know 6 singles have been released with a ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ theme and you may have realised there’s one sin missing. The seventh is the album title itself, as SUPERBIA is latin for Pride, the mother of them all. Video’s have been added to YouTube and merchandise has been made for each single, during a well organised marketing campaign. You can even wear your favourite single on a T shirt, with the fantastic artwork by Freddie McKie. It has all brought the guys into the spotlight, although those of us who have seen them live and heard the music, know destiny awaits and bigger things are on the horizon.
It’s hard to keep up with these five from Cambridgeshire, they’ve been playing all over the place recently, especially on the NWOCR scene and have risen up the ranks, since signing to Greg Dean’s ’TowerRok Management’ in 2022. Famed musician Kris Barras at Ignite Productions and Zak Muller at Studface Productions, have both been onboard to lend advice regarding music and videos for the ten tracks on Superbia, which are all original. It’s now time for the debut album and it can’t have come soon enough.
THE HOT ONE TWO
Turn up the volume and crank that guitar Nick Manners, who’s on lead guitar & backing vocals for ‘The Fray’. This opens the track listing and was also the first single. Ballsy rock and roll, is the bands signature style and it pours during this song. Simon West screams down the mic, with the lyrics of ’Tie Me Down’. It’s a bouncing and energetic singalong, with backing riffage from both Nick and Kev Baker on rhythm guitar. Having a lower pitch, ‘You’ve Got It ( I Want It)’ presses with more bass infused strings from Nick Blackburn, who along with Nick and drummer Joe Chivers, formed the band back in 2017. Crunching and bending the frets, behind Simon’s clear voice, it has enormous attitude and the guitar solo is ear ripping. ‘Is It Hot ?’ has a ‘Budgie’ type of guitar racing that sounds just as manic. Think ‘Breadfan’ with some added AC/DC influences, overall it’s masterpiece of noise. The thunderous stomping of ‘Feeling Good’ also has a classic rock baseline. Increasing with forcefulness from Simon before another guitar solo takes hold midway. Harmonies and that ever flow of energy give it The Hot one Two characteristics.
The album takes time out to mellow for a while with ‘Something Real’, a slower song, but it retains the deeper ridges. This allows the band to exhibit a more sedate style. There’s some immense chords that dig in with passion and it’s a churning piece of some brilliance. ‘God Forsaken Blues’ is probably one of the best known tracks, as the single, like ‘The Fray’, was played on the Radio constantly. I believe most of the releases made ‘Single Of The Week’ on more than one Station. This seventh number does have a bluesy charm about it, however it’s more rhythm and blues, with added swing ! Drumming from Joe, introduces the seductive ‘Demon Daze’ and he maintains a constant rhythm, as Simon offers both soothing and harsh lines. The last single ‘Rolling Stone’ has to be one of my stand out tracks, the chorus is such a catch and reverbs in your head. Love the way it swells and has that trademark bounce. ‘Playing With Fire’ is the last on ‘Superbia’ and is another that demonstrates how precise and competent this band have become. Closing in on all sides to erupt with such richness, they leave one of the best until last.
This is definitely going to be one of the top albums of the year. After a couple of EP’s earlier in their career, ‘The Hot One Two’ have mastered how to construct and produce with a winning formula. Not only brilliant on stage, they sound equally exciting on record, which is something bands of this genre seldom achieve. Well done guys.
‘Brilliant on stage, they sound equally exciting on record, something bands seldom achieve.
HIGHLIGHTS – Tie Me Down, You’ve Got It ( I Want It) , Something Real, Rolling Stone, Playing With Fire.
THE HOT ONE TWO – Simon West – Vocals . Nick Manners – Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals . Kev Baker – Rhythm Guitar . Nick Blackburn – Bass & Backing Vocals . Joe Chivers – Drums
SUPERBIA will be released on November 10th, 2023 and is available via The WEBSITE SHOP or from Cargo and other usual outlets including HMV.
The Hot One Two will perform their album release party at The Portland Arms in Cambridge on Friday December 8th, 2023. Go to FACEBOOK or the well informed WEBSITE for more details. Before that, they can be seen supporting ‘Dead Mans Whiskey’ on tour and at a few festivals – See posters below for remaining dates.
PRODUCTION CREDITS Written by: Nick Blackburn, Joe Chivers, Simon West, Nick Manners & Kev Baker . Recorded, edited and produced by: Jake Day at North Acre Recording Studios, Nick Blackburn & Nick Manners . Mastered by: Grant Berry at Fader Mastering
For further information, please contact Greg Dean At TowerRok Band Management, Booking and P.R.
Thanks to Greg Dean.
