A few weeks back, we had the pleasure of premiering NJ-based indie-rockers The Clydes‘ single, “Broken Boy,” the lead track off of their new LP, So The Story Goes. The album is out today via Mint 400 Records and finds the quartet working through frustrations, cosmic or otherwise, with dazzling guitar work and tight rhythms to an exhilarating effect.
To celebrate the release of So The Story Goes, we had The Clydes break it down for us track by track. Check it all out below and head here to purchase the album or add it to your streaming playlists.
Broken Boy
Brian, our guitarist, wrote the music to this last winter after being in the mood to look at Christmas lights. Brent, our singer, then had this vision of a broken man lying on the floor and yearning for someone to help make him feel whole. A lot of our songs mix melancholy with hope.
Holly Speaks
The music for this came from Brian listening to a lot of ‘90s Britpop — Oasis mainly. Brent then thought about someone who spends too much time in front of the TV when they could be doing something else. Like writing the great American novel.
Never Swim
We were messing around with the main riff at rehearsal one day, and literally within 15 minutes, the main structure of the song was born. It’s about defiance: If I’m gonna fail, I’m gonna fail my own way. Brent is also scared of sharks, which might come in subconsciously.
Jueves
Yes, that is the Spanish word for “Thursday.” This is another song that sprang from Brian’s Britpop fascination. But his guitar playing here is also a cue to Mick Ronson of David Bowie’s band. The lyrics depict that moment when you finally stand up to a bully. Brian also believes Thursday is the most optimistic day of the week and is rather “holy.” And he never lies.
Que
And yes, that is the Spanish word for “what.” A song about celebrating who you are. We’re especially proud of the breakdown section in the middle — like a rock ‘n’ roll march. One goal of this album was to expand the instruments and sounds we use. This is one of three tracks to feature trumpet by Erin Lockett, another artist on Mint 400 Records.
The Vampire Of Hanover
Brian likes to read about crime. And one day, he came across a story about a German serial killer from the early 1900s named “The Vampire Of Hanover.” Brian wrote the music first and then suggested Brent write about the murders. It’s from the killer’s point of view. This is actually a song we recorded years ago for our first demo. But we’ve never stopped playing it and decided to give it an update. It’s still one of our favorites.
Melody
We have a love affair with the Mellotron. It’s healthy, yet maybe not so healthy at the same time. Consider this song an update of The Beatles’ ‘For No One’ — your ex has moved on, but you haven’t. Along with the Mellotron, there are a few other instruments weaving together here — piano, acoustic guitars, electric guitar, trumpet. Musically, it mimics the lyrics: the sensation of feeling defeated and having everything else carry on around you.
Heirloom Rage
This started as a country-ish riff that Brent had. Then, Brian and the rest of the band added some balls to it. It’s about feeling the jolt of something new — maybe a relationship, maybe a job, maybe a song you just heard.
Wicked Brown Eyes
Another tune that grew out of one of Brian’s fluid-like guitar riffs. He’s got hundreds of them. He loves when songs have constant movement to them. The lyrics tell the tale of being confused — and thrilled — by a bad romance.
Whale
We don’t know too many songs about how uncomfortable it feels to be overweight. Brent started this as a piano ballad, but we didn’t want it to be downtrodden. So Andrew, our bassist, came up with the uplifting chords to the chorus, and it ended up closing the record on a hopeful note: Things can get better. Unless of course, you’re a beached whale. Then things aren’t looking so swell.
