Dead Pioneers featuring Jason Williamson: The Worst Among Us
Digital
Out Now
Dead Pioneers explore their Gothic side in a collaboration with Sleaford Mod Jason Williamson. In keeping with their body of work to date, the song addresses colonialism and indigenous experiences.
Having a new Dead Pioneers song to blast out is never going to be a bad thing. The only downside – a comment made by a zine writer after the 3rd single off this record – is that more singles off the album means fewer surprises when it comes out. The flip side is that you will already be familiar with some of them.
So what do we have this time? It’s only the dulcet tones of Jason Williamson from Sleaford Mods. Taking a second to blow our own trumpet, it’s worth pointing out that Dead Pioneers and Sleaford Mods are both bands that Louder Than War championed from the get go, so this choice has gone down well with us.
The Worst Among Us is an interesting choice of a single. While the song is propelled along at a decent pace, it is a dark, creeping, brooding number with chorus and flanger effects pushing it into the direction of dance-floor Goth. The guitars sink into the background, creating a synth-like sound while the rhythm section leads this platform for the Dead Pioneers message. Despite the sombre sound, the rhythmic repetition makes this a catchy number.
Musically this is less ebullient than the other singles released so far from Wagon Burner, The Worst Among Us giving us an idea of the diversity of sounds to expect on the new long player. However, the lyrics are no less forthright. Gregg Deal relates an angry message that mingles his personal experiences with the wider indigenous experience and speaks to wider issues of colonisation and imperialism. Only those with their head in the sand will think that that age of Empire and Colonialism has ended.
Watch the video
See Dead Pioneers at the following dates in the UK and EU.
July
8 – IE Róisín Dubh, Galway
9 – IE The Workman’s Club, Dublin
11 – UK 2000 Trees Festival
12 – UK Liverpool Rough Trade (Co-headline with Petrol Girls)
13 – UK Nottingham Rescue Rooms (Co-headline with Petrol Girls)
14 – UK Brighton Green Door Store (Co-headline with Petrol Girls)
16 – DE Back To The Future Festival
17 – DE Adieu Tristesse Festival
18 – DE Seepogo Festival
19 – DE Essen – Don’t Panic
Wagon Burner is out on 26th June on Hassle Records
~
Words by Nathan Brown. You can read more from Nathan on his Louder Than War archive over here.
A Plea From Louder Than War
Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team, and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly. Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write, or hungry shareholders. We know times are tough, and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases, the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy. We are not driven by profit, just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about.
To us, music and culture are eveything, without them, our very souls shrivel and die. We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many, what we do is absolutely vital. Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute, and each sign-up makes a huge impact, helping to keep the flame of independent music burning! Please click the button below to help.
John Robb – Editor in Chief