How about speeding things up a little with a good old punk rock ditty? Let me introduce you to Play Dead. Not the Bjørk song, but the London garage punk trio, comprised of Joe Blair (vocals, guitar), Ollie Clarke (bass, backing vocals) and Elias Brewin (drums, percussion).

Thameslink is the band’s first single since the release of their EP’s Skint (2021) and Mug Cake (2022). It has their trademark raw immediacy, attitude, wit and energy, inspired by bands like Amyl & The Sniffers and early Arctic Monkeys. Lyrically, the raucous three-minute anthem serves as a rebellious response to the frustrations of city life, especially in London.

Blair explains the song was written after he paid about £7 for a pint at his local pub. “So I guess it’s a bit of a diss-track on London – being fed up with the trains, the price of beer, and the day-to-day habits of the miserable commuter….”

Thameslink by Play Dead is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This implies that it will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

Follow Play Dead on Instagram | X | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2024 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.