Inca Babies have always been one of those bands that sit outside the stereotypes, clichés and myths about Manchester bands. They are a band who observe from a distance, sitting beyond the punk parameters, whilst embracing a more dramatic, mesmeric and inflamed sound. Formed in 1983, Inca Babies were initially active between 1982 and 1988 and then reformed in 2007, appearing on four recorded sessions for John Peel’s BBC Radio show between 1984 and 1987.
Comprised of Harry Stafford on vocals/guitars, Rob Haynes (The Membranes/ Goldblade) on drums and Vince Hunt (A Witness/ Blue Orchids) on bass, Inca Babies are that smouldering spike of post-punk, deathrock, surf, gothabilly, psychobilly, garage, shock-rock, neo-psyc, blues band that have matured like fine wine, since their earlier incarnations.
Think The Birthday Party, The Cramps, Link Wray, The Gun Club, etc then you get the kind of idea of what Inca Babies are about. As a front man, Stafford is the real deal. He’s an artist whose idiosyncratic crooning and wonderous wails reside in the recesses of Nick Cave and Lux Interior, whilst creating a theatrical stage presence. Along with the adrenaline infused riffs and thunderous beats, Inca Babies continue to flourish as a prolific band, whilst remaining true to their rockabilly roots.
Following the release of Stafford’s solo albums, including his recent collaborations with Marco Butcher, Inca Babies have been busy in the studio working on their 8th studio album, “Swamp Street Soul”. Since it’s been seven years since Inca Babies completed the release cycle for their Death Blues Trilogy, which included the albums ‘Death Message Blues’ (2010), ‘Deep Dark Blue‘ (2012) and ‘The Stereo Plan‘ (2014), the release of “Swamp Street Soul” is very much anticipated and a great reminder of their true musicianship. Produced by Simon “Ding” Archer (The Fall, PJ Harvey, Pixies), the album will be released via Black Lagoon Records on November 23rd 2021.
Ahead of the album release is the single, Walk in the Park, which has been selected as my “Single of the Week”. Walk in the Park is a neo-psych trip down sensory lane, like a cult theme tune from a 60s TV show. Through the breezy vocals and uber-cool delivery, Walk in the Park saunters in a haze of nostalgia, amidst the open spaces of post-punk. It’s a great track, whose zig-zag riffs, cut through the debris of desert rock, and lays bare its gothabilly core. Along with the reverberating riffs and pulsating beats, Walk in the Park spins in roundabouts, whilst backtracking through space and time.
Bandcamp https://incababies1.bandcamp.com/album/swamp-street-soul
CD order https://louderthanwar.com/shop/music/inca-babies-swamp-street/
Pre-release show / Tickets www.facebook.com/events/491787328816620
CREDITS
Harry Stafford – guitar, vocals
Vince Hunt – bass
Rob Haynes – drums
Kevin Davy – trumpet
Black Lagoon Records catalogue #BLRCD0058
Photography by Steve Nicholl
“Walk in the Park” will be available digitally on all digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The ‘Swamp Street Soul’ album will be released on CD and digitally on November 23rd 2021. It can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.