Strange Pink / Pencil Chewer – single

– Release Date: 29^th May –

East Yorkshire’s freshest new indie rock phenomenon Strange Pink come straight out the starting blocks with the debut single Pencil Chewer – a bright and uplifting indie belter that neatly fuses indie-pop and rock vibes to great effect.

As the first track from their soon to be released Out Of Focus EP, Pencil Chewer was recorded at Young Thugs studio, York (Avalanche Party, Life, Low Hummer) with the help of producer Nick ‘The Muscle’ Russell (Bedsit, The Black Ravines, ROTHCO) and mastered by Ed Woods (Idlewild, The Who).

With its psych guitar lines and upbeat production, the track spins a story of woe and destruction based on the character Aaron from Shakespear’s play Titus Andronicus and his bullying behaviour, while in pursuit of pleasure and power at the expense of his subjects, even his sons and daughters!

Sam Forrest from the band says of the release “Pencil Chewer was the first track we wrote together, so it makes sense it’s our first release. Aside from that though, we were finding out about St. Agatha of Sicily at the time and the torture she endured. I think subliminally the song reflects that element of oppression in some way”.

Strange Pink are Sam Forrest (vocals / guitar), Eddie Alan Logie (bass / BVs) and Dom Smith (drums). Collectively inspired by bands like Sonic Youth and Built To Spill, Sam previously found success as frontman for Island Records band Nine Black Alps and York band Sewage Farm, while Eddie and Dom have been honing their craft in local Yorkshire bands Mary And The Ram, Creature Honey and RUNoffthestatic.

As a musician with cerebral palsy, drummer Dom describes his journey as wonderful, but not without challenges, like having to literally crawl onto stages and avoid tripping over wires! Since being told he wouldn’t be able to achieve certain things growing up (like being in a band!), Dom has gone on to tour the UK, Europe and Asia in grind-doom metal band The Parasite Twins, create inspiring alternative electronic music in Mary And The Ram and is currently working with one of his favourite songwriters Sam Forrest and one of his favourite musicians Edward Alan Logie in Strange Pink. Such achievements he finds highly satisfying but that said, at a grassroots level, he’d like venue managers and promoters to be more accessible in general. There are many venues out there doing great work for neurodivergent and disabled musicians which he applauds, but traditionally people are afraid of what they don’t understand and that can create barriers for many people with additional needs.

With an upcoming gig at Hull’s Polar Bear Club supporting local grunge outfit Bedsit on 22^nd July, Strange Pink are set to burst onto the scene this summer with a string of singles leading up to the release of their debut EP Out Of Focus in August. On it are superb mix of slacker, lo-fi and post-grunge vibes that reflect each member’s deep understanding of the genre. Be sure to follow on your preferred socials for updates and further gig announcements.