Radio Aftermath: Custom Made Transmissions
Every music fan loves an explosive debut, a collection of tracks that show them who an artist really is. Though Radio Aftermath have long since proved their worth as a band, their self-titled EP goes that extra mile with grit and melody in equal measure.
Radio Aftermath. From left to right: Sam Moran, Chris Dennett, Rob Burns and Jack Craven.
We’ve written about the Leeds outfit Radio Aftermath before, back in May 2020 for their debut single, ‘Kiss From A Rebel’ and later that year for their follow-up, ‘We Eat The Buffalo’. Since then, guitarist Sam Moran has joined the existing line-up of vocalist and guitarist Chris Dennett, Rob Burns on bass and backing vocals, and drummer Jack Craven. Their self-titled EP, released in October 2022 collects some of their previous singles, along with a few brand-new tracks that take the sound of Radio Aftermath further than before.
Amid static, a familiar voice is heard in Radio Aftermath’s opening transmission, ‘Able Archer’, the forty-four second introduction giving way to the band’s recent single, ‘Cup Of Coffee In The Big Time’. Released back in May, the three-track single also contained further narrative in ‘August 9, 1945’, a sombre instrumental, accompanied by a humbling music video.
‘Cut my throat like it’s going out of fashion, a self-indulged sacrifice.’
‘Cup Of Coffee’ is unlike either of these tracks, hitting the listener with a wall of fast-paced guitar thrash. Chris Dennett’s words are dripping with contempt for his subject, with ferocious playing by Jack Craven, the kind from a drummer who isn’t fucking around. The music video, which is equal parts wrestling match and performance from the band, was animated by Jim Vickers, who also provided the artwork for this single.
‘I know that I can fix you…’
‘Custom Made Lizard Shoes’ is a clear choice for a single, with an infectious vocal melody from Chris Dennett and a ballsy closing scream from Rob Burns. Anchoring the song is Sam Moran’s lead guitar, whose playing in the chorus is especially exciting, his hand skating up and down the fretboard as seen in Radio Aftermath’s music video.
This video, shot and edited by James Wilson and featuring projections from Jim Vickers, gives a taste of the band in a performance setting. Stepping back from the microphone briefly, Dennett continues playing guitar while vocalist Tom Wallwork of fellow Leeds band When They Riot delivers a melodic self-penned verse. With grassroots music and venues still at risk post-lockdown, this is the kind of cross-pollination that invigorates and excites a local music scene.
Listen for Rob Burns’ melodic bass runs particularly during this verse, injecting an entirely different musical perspective into this track amongst the guitar elements. This song is given another angle in ‘Custom Made Lofi Shoes’, a remix by Anonymity88, showcasing Radio Aftermath’s music in an alternate universe.
‘I’ve got something inside my head for you.’
One of the new tracks released with this EP includes ‘See Through Lies’, a melodic come down from the EP’s heavier opening songs, but no less energetic. The centre of this track is Chris Dennett’s passionate lyric and vocal delivery, his voice close to breaking point in the verses, but somehow still taking a step further in the choruses.
This isn’t to say that ‘See Through Lies’ is all about Chris. The instrumental section shows what a force Jack Craven is in this song and how Sam Moran’s lead playing opens the track right out. Here, ‘See Through Lies’ is densely layered, apocalyptic and devastating, sucking in the listener and surrounding them with guitar distortion and drumming aggression.
The previously released ‘You, and All Of Us’ has the distinction of shining a spotlight on Rob Burns’ bass guitar, soundtracking one of many voices that appear on this EP. The voice in question is that of David Lange, speaking during a televised Oxford Union debate in 1985. Rob is soon joined by the rest of Radio Aftermath, who show their versatility in creating visually stimulating moods, as they did on ‘August 9, 1945’ and ‘Monolith’, released in April 2021.
This skill Radio Aftermath has is that of a dual personality where atmospheric pieces like this can co-exist with tracks such as ‘Custom Made Lizard Shoes’. It could be likened to the work of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who in the same year could create an Oscar-nominated soundscape, alongside a heavy Nine Inch Nails album and touring schedule. Perhaps there is a secondary underlying career option for Radio Aftermath hidden in these pieces of music? As if to exemplify this, Anonymity88 created another remix for this track, a late-night lo-fi chilled out piece that could easily be ten times as long.
‘Estranged’ is the original A-Side to ‘You, and All Of Us’, released on Valentine’s Day in 2021. Not merely a coincidence, ‘Estranged’ is filled with the kind of romantic poetry that could woo even the most impenetrable of souls, ‘I'm sick of you and sick of your shit, I'm sick to death, I'm over it!’
‘Estranged’ contains some of the best guitar riffing in Radio Aftermath’s catalogue, leaving you with the joint vocal and guitar melody imprinted in your mind. This track also features a rare showing of acoustic guitar, pressured in on all sides by a confusing swirl of voices as Radio Aftermath builds the song back up again.
Mixed and mastered by Tom Hall, every part of ‘Estranged’ is given its own space, from Chris Dennett’s scathing lyric, to Rob Burns’ trebly bass playing and the guitar tones that rule this track. The video was edited together by Chris using stock footage, woven together with performance shots of the band.
All great rock songs begin with a shout of ‘ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!’ and ‘Inert’ is no exception. Jack Craven smashes at his snare underneath a lone guitar riff, which is boosted by Rob Burns when the full band joins in. As we’ve mentioned before about Radio Aftermath, their music is meant to be played LOUD.
Chris Dennett shreds his throat for ‘Inert’, as if trying to be heard above the fast chugging in the verses, sandwiched between the best solo from Sam Moran on this EP yet. And just when you think its over, a guitar riff launches the band back into one final headbanging moment, leaving a decaying guitar chord and static that continues…
…into ‘Tapestry’. Chris Dennett and Sam Moran’s guitar riffs are the dominant presence for this EP’s lap of honour. Rob Burns continues to add distinct melodic flair to his basslines here, though Jack Craven’s dynamic drumming is somewhat obscured, suffering from undermixing in favour of fuller guitar representation. The finale of ‘Tapestry’ has it all – feedback, a chunky full band build-up, wah guitar, a climbing bassline and a chorus reprise, embodying everything that is so great about this band in the song’s final moments.
With a tour in the planning stages for 2023, this self-titled EP leaves you in no doubt that Radio Aftermath are a formidable writing and performing quartet, and Moths and Giraffes are excited to see what they do next.
Continue reading for our Q&A with Radio Aftermath. We ask the band about recording their EP, collaborating with Tom Wallwork, the use of speech samples across these songs and the status of their upcoming tour. All this and more below!
From top left to right: Rob Burns, Jack Craven, Chris Dennett and Sam Moran.
1. It's great to see Radio Aftermath putting out their debut EP at last! Tell me about the recording circumstances, where was it recorded and who did you record with?
Chris Dennett: It’s been a few years in the making, but yeah, we’re finally here! We’re all super excited for everyone to hear it.
It was recorded and mixed by our drummer, Jack. It was recorded in various locations (mainly Rob and Sam’s living room), so was quite a janky operation.
2. Tom Wallwork of When They Riot features on 'Custom Made Lizard Shoes', how did that collaboration come together? Did you intend to have a guest vocalist when writing the song?
Chris: When They Riot are a fellow Leeds band that we engaged with on Instagram, we followed each other, we liked their stuff, they liked ours, then I realised that I actually knew Tom as I’d worked with him briefly. This further fuelled the desire to play shows together, resulting in us touring with them last year, and we’ve remained close since.
I always wanted to have a guest vocalist in one of our songs, it wasn’t necessarily intended for this track, but once we recorded the instrumentals for it, the nice middle section seemed like a good place to have a guest vocalist come in so we asked Tom. It also came from wanting to collaborate with other local musicians more because 1. I think it’s cool and 2. I want to help create a sense of community with other local bands and help each other out more, I’ve seen too many local bands gatekeep information and contacts for their own gain, which I think is a shitty attitude to have.
Rob Burns: Originally the bridge for CMLS was just instrumental but it felt too sparse considering how long it progresses. My theory is that Tom ended up doing it just so Chris could escape having to write more lyrics…
3. There are speech samples used across the EP, what's the origin of the one used in the middle of 'Estranged'?
Chris: We wanted to create the perception of a concept record without having to actually make a concept record (laughs) I think using samples like that in music can really help set a certain tone and atmosphere in a record and help tell a story, we always loved that in the music we grew up listening to and wanted to bring that in our music too. The one in estranged was the original idea for a guest vocalist, specifically female, to come in and do a spoken word piece for Estranged. Rob ended up recording like a little intro for it with him speaking, like he was talking to a mate about his relationship being over, I really liked it, so I wrote one from the girl’s side of it for the middle of the song, and we got Jacks girlfriend to record it for us. It’s one of my favourite parts in the EP, it really helps the song! Estranged is about the breakdown of a past relationship of mine, but I didn’t want to demonise her, it isn’t a fuck you to her, it was just more about the realisation that it wasn’t working anymore, and we both knew it.
Rob: You, and All of Us is also using excerpts from a David Lange Oxford Union debate on nuclear weapons from the 80’s. Something that fit the band name and early imagery obviously, and also something that is sadly feeling more and more topical…
Image Credit: Victoria Wai.
4. As well as some previously released singles, you have some brand-new tracks on this EP. Tell me about the writing of 'Inert'?
Chris: Inert is a revamp of one of our original demo tracks from years and years ago. The new tracks are Estranged, Custom Made Lizard Shoes, Cup of Coffee in the Big Time and You, and All of Us.
It’s a straight up rock song. I came up with that intro riff before I even started Radio Aftermath, it was intended for an older pop punk band of mine called The Half Nelson’s, but we never got around to it before the band disbanded, it was originally called ‘This is War’ and the lyrics were kind of anti-war, anti-establishment, and a bit too try hard now I think back to it.
Another past breakup of mine inspired the lyric change, and unlike the last, this one is a fuck you song! Love, I’m told, is nothing more than a chemical reaction in your brain, and if that reaction is cancelled then the chemical is now inert, so that inspired the first line of the song.
5. Anonymity88 made a lo-fi remix of 'Custom Made Lizard Shoes' back in August, is remixing your music something you'd be open to doing more of?
Chris: These little instrumentals and remixes are Rob’s babies, and we love them so yes, we will definitely continue to put these out.
Rob: It’s my alter-ego. Although I don’t appreciate that I’ve just been commissioned to do more work apparently!
6. Going back to earlier this year, you released a track entitled 'August 9, 1945', inspired by the end of the Second World War. What made you want to write about this subject specifically?
Chris: A running theme for Radio Aftermath has always been inspired by the atomic bomb era, this whole project (the band) was inspired by me coming across J. Robert Oppenheimer’s speech after he’d just seen the destruction of what he invented had caused. We used his speech sample to open our demo EP (Survive the Bomb) which I believe you can still find on an old account on Soundcloud.
7. During these past couple of years, have there been songs you've started writing and have abandoned? What were they called?
Chris: It has certainly seemed that way sometimes, but often no, we don’t abandon song ideas, they just take a long time to finish. There are a few songs we had with the original line-up that we don’t play anymore, Soldiers, Man Made Machine, Unfinished Business and My Demise. I think when the line-up changed for the final time we just really wanted to treat it as a refresher and start to move away from the more pop punk/skate punk vibe we’d originally started out as, and concentrate more on alt rock, post rock. Apart from Jack we’re all in our 30s, so a more mature sound for the band is more appealing these days.
Rob: I’ve written a lot of crappy riffs over the years but for the most part they don’t even make it to the rest of the band’s consideration stage.
Image Credit: Victoria Wai.
8. Ok, a question for everyone: What are each of your personal favourites on the EP and why?
Chris: It’s a toss-up between Custom Made Lizard Shoes and Estranged for me, I just think those songs mark the moment you could tell we’d grown as a band and were putting out better more well-rounded songs. I’m proud of them, whenever I’m having doubts or anxiety on whether I’m good enough to do this, and believe me, that happens often! I give them a listen and can be reassured that with better musicians around me I can pull this off without anyone noticing how amateur I am!
Rob: Cup of Coffee probably for me, I enjoy how it’s got some oomph to kickstart things and is pretty simple – I have a tendency to overcomplicate things if I’m left to my own devices so that was a remarkable show of restraint from me.
Sam Moran: That's a tricky call to make, but I'm also going to say Cup of Coffee... Just because it fucking goes. I love all its parts, the vocals, guitar harmonies, rapid fire bass and drums. And the Macho Man reference in the title.
Jack Craven: Inert. It was the first song that I learned when I joined the band and it’s just a really fun song to play - a good fast punky rock song.
9. Finally, you've teased a potential tour in the works to support the EP, what more can you tell us about that?
Chris: Still very much in the works, and will be hopefully hitting the road probably mid-2023, we wanted to do it sooner, but these things take lots of planning.
Rob: Unfortunately with our schedules it can be a bit like herding cats at times.
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Download and stream the self-titled EP from Radio Aftermath on their Bandcamp page, as well as their previously released material.
Follow Radio Aftermath on Facebook @RadioAftermaththeband, on Instagram and TikTok @radioaftermath and on Twitter @_RadioAftermath.
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