This is the 22nd entry in the Mayhem Virgins series where we showcase artists that have never featured in these pages before. This time it is the turn of ace scouse band Modern Marriage. I found them randomly when I spotted a plea on Facebook to listen to their new single “Grim Up North”. It was very polite and said “We spent a good bit of time in the studio getting these tunes just right for your ears, so, we really do appreciate you taking time out to listen, or giving your mates a shout and telling them to have a listen.
The better our singles perform, then the more gigs and the more decent, meaningful shows we get offered, etc, etc.” Anyway, I listened to it and it is bloody good. A really catchy, bouncy hook-driven indie banger. The band formed in 2021 and played a gig at the iconic Cavern in Liverpool later. They have gigged a lot across the northwest since then and every review or comment that you read online says that their shows are more of a party than a gig. On that evidence, I really need to see them live now.
It is clear from their wonderfully created song titles that they possess that classic, down-to-earth, self-deprecating scouse humour in abundance. Particularly the B-Side of “Grim Up North” “(I Wanna Eat Your Stewed) Prunes (Baby)” and “Gerry And His Pacemaker”. But it is not just the titles. These are great tunes, “(I Wanna Eat Your Stewed) Prunes (Baby)” is a kind of blues punk workout that is hard to compare with anyone! Meanwhile “Gerry And His Pacemaker” reminds me of the humourous side of Brit Pop, a cross between the Inspiral Carpets and the Fall, some Half Man Half Biscuit with a bit of C86 thrown in for good measure. That song was their first single released in June of last year. The fun never stops though, “Terry’s Last Fag” had me dancing around the room almost immediately, it is a cracking party tune. That song was their first single released in June of last year.
“Money! Money! Money! Money! Money! Money! Money!” is a driving punky pop song that makes Abba’s “Money Money Money” seem a bit crap. Not many bands have a song title that features their own name, I can think of maybe Mott The Hoople, Bad Company, Madness and, Black Sabbath. But Modern Marriage can be added to that list with, you guessed it “Modern Marriage” a hard-rocking riffy and sometimes jangly guitar fest. The band goes all Latin and wonderfully weird on the rather excellent “Lewey’s Got A Two Piece” which made me think of another Liverpool band, the magnificent Deaf School at their peak. “Riddled With Coke” is perhaps their heaviest song to date. By listening to them incessantly today I can see why their gigs might equate to parties, I have a huge smile after an hour of Modern Marriage! They are currently unsigned, but any label worth anything ought to get in there now!
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