Boisterous, Scottish indie rockers Parka released their indie opus ‘Attack of the Hundred Yard Hardman’ on 5th May 2008. The album was preceded by their latest single, indie dancefloor favourite ‘Better Anyway’, on April 21st which landed at number 5 in the Indie Charts.
Coming straight off the back of January’s 100mph dancefloor-punk workout single ‘Disco Dancer’ which stormed to number 3 in the indie charts and was also Alex Zane’s Record of the Week on his Xfm Breakfast Show, the eagerly anticipated album hits the shops in time to become the soundtrack to the summer.
Produced by Iain Gore who has also recently worked with Rumblestrips, Kid Harpoon, Hadouken and of course SixNatioNState, ‘Attack of the Hundred Yard Hardman’ sees Parka continue the relentless pace of ‘Disco Dancer’ and ‘Better Anyway’ with more raucous anthems. Packing in the punches from the offset the staccato rap of live favourite ‘Bosses & Bastards’ sets the unruly party mood before the baggy stylings of ‘Mr. Optimistic’ which was co-written with Chewin’ The Fat actor Tom Urie. Tom has previously lent his vocals to Mylo’s Destroy Rock and Roll album and provides vocal support on most of Parka’s debut.
Despite the uplifting feeling of much of the album, lead singer and songwriter Matty reveals that a darker side to some of the lyrics. “Better Anyway was written when I was unemployed and spent all my time drinking and sleeping. The track itself is an upbeat pop track which is a nice paradox against the quite dark, sad theme of the lyrics.”
On the sure-fire indie/electro hit ‘DJ In The Corner’, Parka enlisted the distinctive vocal attacks of late 1990’s icon Saffron from Republica. “My friend Tommy from Popstarz suggested her after he heard we were looking for a female vocalist to sing on DJ. She has such a great energy that she adds to the tune and she is such an incredible person to work with.”
There is the rabble rousing, self motivation of ‘Wake Up Call’ (written following a few stern words from Jeepster), while ‘Stay Away’ sees the band at a rare introspective moment, backed by an 8-piece orchestra, a 3-piece horn section and Micko Larkin from the sadly missed Larrikin Love on guitar.
“My favourite bands are The Eels and Blur… I love old two tone and also hip hop and dance so I try and blend as many styles as possible so none of the tracks come out the same. Our tracks vary from hardhouse/indie/rock with rapping vocals to acoustic drinking songs for a good old knees up!”
The album will be available on CD and download only with ‘Better Anyway’ being released on three track CD single, limited red 7″ and download.