Following on from their debut album Cougar, The Davidson Trio has brought out a brand new five track EP entitled Follow You.
Described as edgier, darker and more rock orientated than Cougar, it transpires the band has a desire to return to the sound and feel they were previously renowned for under previous band name guises.
“It just feels natural; this kind of music just flows out of us when we get together in the studio,” said guitarist and songwriter Ben Bicknell.
Three tracks from the EP are scheduled to be released as singles, with the first being ‘War‘. A dark pulsating track with eerie guitar crying throughout, with massive bass rumblings intended to echo the sound of battle marching on. “It reflects the everyday battles we all face, the feeling of wanting to defend what we love the most whatever that may be. Music, loved ones, our culture or even our possessions,” explained singer and bass player Owen Davidson.
“We were even fighting our own battles during the writing and recording of the EP. Floods, health, budgets and strict time scales but I think these battles have been won,” said drummer Ellis Brown. “The remaining tracks all carry deep messages that we can all relate to in some aspect of our lives, shady characters that are out to get you, being disillusioned with the circus we live in or missing loved ones that are no longer in our lives.”
Opening track ‘Mr Greasy Snake‘ was written by Bicknell and described as a fast paced guitar driven track with heavy riffs that will get your head nodding and feet tapping. About those shady individuals one meets on life’s highway, who offer help and success but just want to use you and watch you fail. And they’re not just talking about those in the music industry, we presume.
New single ‘War‘ is the first of two where the music’s been written by Bicknell and Brown, with Davidson penning the lyrics. Its intent is to symbolise the struggles we face through life; that feeling of wanting to protect what’s yours, the things you love and care about. A slow burner, with pulsating guitars throughout and lead lines crying in the distance, imagine early Judas Priest and MSG with prime time Thin Lizzy collectively paying homage to the legendary Robin Trower.
The second Bicknell/Brown composition but featuring lyrics by the guitarist is ‘Disillusion‘ where the drummer leads the way with a tight groove followed by Hendrix like guitar riffs. Written following being disillusioned by the music industry, it takes a view from the outside looking in, seeing it for the circus it really is while people are almost hypnotised into consuming what they are told is good. Apparently, there’s also “a cheeky nod” to Rage Against The Machine right at the very end.
A Bicknell/Davidson composition with Davidson lyrics, ‘Song For Phil‘ is heavily influenced by Phil Lynott’s life story and his beliefs, both bass players also notably having been born in the Black Country. Listeners are promised dual guitars over a driving beat evoking Thin Lizzy. Aside from guitar overdubs by Bicknell we’re also promised “a carefully orchestrated solo” on this rock anthem.
Concluding the EP with another Bicknell solo write is ‘Follow You‘. This was originally intended for their debut album, only for the band’s first ballad to now make its appearance as the EP’s title track. One for Gary Moore fans musically, ‘Follow You‘ is about the people we miss in our lives, whether they have passed on or simply no longer a part of it, and you don’t know how you will carry on, leaving you lost, cold and stranded.
Produced by Ellis Powell-Bevan and recorded at Otterhead Studios, ‘War‘ and ‘Follow You‘ are available on all good digital services.
