South London genre-blending storytellers, Alabama 3 are set to further add to their rich musical heritage with a new single ‘Whacked’ out today via Submarine Cat Records, taken from new album titled ‘Step 13’ to follow on August 20th.
‘Whacked’ is the first taste of fresh Alabama 3 material since the tragic passing of the beloved and unconventional The Very Reverend D Wayne Love, in May of 2019.
Then, with the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown upon the world, the band had no option but to get creative and submerged themselves in their music, teaming up with producer Cam Blackwood (George Ezra, Jack Savoretti, Tom Walker, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes…) to focus their minds on something vital, new and fresh. This can clearly be heard in ‘Whacked’, a song written by Pete Dunne and Nik Diesel ….
A product of old skool Brixton, from the legendary Seven Kevin’s band.” He threatened us with this song prior to his untimely death,” explains Lead singer Larry Love. “Despite the heavy manners we are proud to declare we rose to the challenge.”
“Whacked was recorded in the early weeks of the first UK lockdown in March 2020,” remembers producer Cam Blackwood. “I think the hedonistic spirit of the song was amplified a million times by the fact we were making the record remotely – with the musicians in the band recording their parts at home, sending them all to me to collate and arrange – then I would send the instrumental track to Larry to record vocals on. The energy was pretty insane – we were like caged animals desperate to get out.
“We managed to find time three months later (when the first lockdown ended in July 2020) to get together and put the finishing touches to the song,” continues Cam. “Being in the studio with a few beers seemed like a fitting way to finalise the tune and put the last 1% of energy into the recording. This song feels like classic Alabama 3 to me. It’s a banger!”
Indeed, it is. A low-slung groove propelled by frontman Larry Love’s infamous throat rattle, with the addictive chorus refrain ‘everybody’s getting whacked on something, something that makes them feel good,’ ‘Whacked’ will loop around your brain like a recurring dream you can’t wake from. These are hedonistic conscious unconscious times.
“You can praise the Lord, you can pass the ammunition, you can be woke you can be wicked you can have the wisdom of Solomon but unless you are ready to get whacked with Alabama 3 there’s no point in dreaming,” states Larry. “Rearrange the rubble, paint your bomb shelters and make sure everybody in the neighbourhood feels good cos we feel like getting stupid and you need to get whacked.”
Directed by the Sitcom Soldiers company, the video for ‘Whacked’ gets to the true essence of the song: “Feast Thine eyes brothers and sisters upon Alabama 3’s new video, everybody’s getting whacked on something,” summarises Larry. “We salute the good the bad and the ugly and every neighbourhood that is brave enough to have a party. Please drink responsibly and be advised that viewer discretion is required, no animals or children were hurt in the making of this video though some participants needed nurofen the day after the shoot. Enjoy!”
Watch the video for ‘Whacked’ – BELOW:
See Alabama 3 live at the following dates in March/April 2022:
Thursday 17 March 2022 Cambridge, The Junction
Friday 18 March 2022 Birmingham, Institute 2
Saturday 19 March 2022 Liverpool, O2 Academy
Friday 25 March 2022 Dublin, Academy
Saturday 26 March 2022 Belfast, Limelight
Thursday 31 March 2022 Brighton, Concorde 2
Friday 1 April 2022 Southampton, Engine Rooms
Saturday 2 April 2022 Exeter, Phoenix
Sunday 3 April 2022 Bournemouth, Old Fire Station
Thursday 7 April 2022 Newcastle, Boiler Shop
Friday 8 April 2022 Edinburgh, Liquid Rooms
Saturday 9 April 2022 Glasgow, SWG3
Sunday 10 April 2022 Kendal, Brewery Art Centre
Thursday 14 April 2022 Cardiff, Tramshed
Friday 15 April 2022 Holmfirth, Picturedrome
Saturday 16 April 2022 Manchester, O2 Ritz
Sunday 17 April 2022 Leeds, Warehouse
Wednesday 27 April 2022 Reading, Sub89
Thursday 28 April 2022 Oxford O2 Academy
Friday 29 April 2022 Bristol, O2 Academy
Saturday 30 April 2022 London, SBE
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