The Northern Embezzlers are a post-punk band from Manchester, whose direct and outspoken music speaks through a megaphone of truth, justice and social conscience. They are a band that stays true to the ethos of punk DIY and shouts it from their riotous rooftops. Comprised of Rosco Gordon on vocals, Paul Fitzpatrick/Spider on guitar, Vinny Dixon on bass and Ian Dixon on drums, The Northern Embezzlers are a force of nature, whose inflamed lyrics, and infectious tracks make you stand up and listen.
In an age of instant gratification and political uncertainty, The Northern Embezzlers go back to the roots of reggae, dub, SKA and post-punk, dabbling with neo-psychedelia and post-grunge, whilst reviving the combatant spirit reminiscent of The Specials and The Clash. Politically driven, The Northern Embezzlers are the salt of the earth whose grit and passion is reflected in their gripping music. It’s music that creates a stream of virtuoso guitars and charismatic vocals that trail-blazes like a comet and burns from the embers of solidarity.
A well-respected live band, The Northern Embezzlers are regular performers at the StrummerCamp Festival and whose gigs around Manchester and further afield have gained them a loyal and expanding fan base. They are a band without any pretentions or gimmicks and go back to the basics of post-punk and delivery with a raw honesty that knows its craft inside and out. True professionals, true noisemakers, The Northern Embezzlers have been busy in the studio with their latest EP “Four To The Fore”, which has been selected as my “EP Of The Week”.
Released in April 2022, “Four To The Fore” is a great work of art that encapsulates the current climate of politics and reinforces the identity of roots reggae, dub and post-punk. It’s a soapbox of sonics that reaches out and connects with a wide audience and music lovers that celebrate its glory, its power and impact on culture.
Get Out Alive is a great opening track, whose laid back dub bass blends effortlessly with the breezy vocals, whilst fuelled from the frustrations of life. Through the striking riffs, Get Out Alive angle-grinds like a Catherine wheel through the sonic skyline of post-punk. It’s a great spurt of showmanship that is testament to the band’s skill at creating a raw and real narrative, that speaks through a multitude of layers. Along with the provocative lyrics, Get Out Alive ignites the sparks of angst from a high voltage of staying power.
Is It Any Wonder takes an urban route down the back alleys of punk-funk, whose ambience of sonic sirens and zig-zag riffs cut through the debris of dub and loop on a higher plane of neo-psychedelia. It’s a captivating track, that travels through the timelines of post-punk and dips into the murky waters of post-grunge. Along with the incited lyrics, Is It Any Wonder questions our choices in life and fans the flames of repression.
Ready For Action does what it say on the tin, and offers a platform for revolt and rebellion. It’s a great track, that once again beats within the heart of post-punk and chills through the basslines of dub. Along with the razor sharp riffs, and pulsating beats, Ready For Action welds through the angst and psyches up the soul, whilst unleashing the feel-good factor of music.
This is Entertainment ventures down the pensive pathways of dark-wave and shines from the shadow of goth-rock. It’s a contemporary catharsis that descends into the depths of industrial rock and shouts from the jagged edges of new-wave. Through the metallic riffs and colliding streams, This is Entertainment is a track that revisits the glories of post-punk, whilst delivering its message from the lofty heights of the modern world.
Released in April 2022 is available on black disc and on a limited edition of blue disc priced £5.00 plus postage
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