South London punks Honey Joy will release their new album ‘III’ on 5th July via Everything Sucks Music and they’ve just revealed a final taster from the record. Vocalist Megan Tinsley says ‘Ready Now’ is “about finally feeling something when you listen to music. This was after like two years of working in a central london NHS hospital that was overwhelmed with Covid and for some reason during that time, music didn’t make me feel anything. Then, all of a sudden one day I was like okay music feels good again, omg singing feels amazing. And so I just sang and wrote and probably pissed off the neighbors. It ties in with trying to start afresh after something difficult.”
This track follows friend love letter ‘Penelope’ and the awesome ‘Language’, which speaks on “how having opinions and feelings is pointless or damaging if you can’t learn to articulate them,” says Tinsley. Guitarist Matt Tinsley chimes in that the track is “an idea I’ve been fucking around with since our first album. I showed it to Jay (Jason Cavalier – drums), he said to stop swinging the rhythm and make it more Tom Petty and here we are.”
Elsewhere on the charmingly rumbustious ‘III’, Honey Joy explore wanting to do it all in life without compromise on ‘Live 100%’. They air frustration at chronic health and mental health issues (‘Never Better’), as well as railing at the government with the painful outrage of album closer ‘Thursdays at 8pm’, whose title references the “Clap for Carers” campaign during the pandemic. Megan says the track is “me being absolutely furious about the government handling of Covid. I can honestly only describe it as negligence and gaslighting. I will never forget.” Matt adds “I lost my Grandad to Covid. I spoke to him the day before he died and the thought of him being alone when he passed due to government negligence is still a painful and enraging memory. I think he would be really proud of Meg for her work as a nurse during Covid, for pulling through one of the toughest times in her life and her lyrics in this song. I think of him every time we play it. Fuck this government a million times over.”
‘III’ was recorded with Wayne Adams at BearBitesHorse in East London, literally around the corner from where the band recorded (second album) ‘II’. According to Honey Joy, “There’s a pretty great falafel place down the road.” This is their first recording with new guitarist Will Hattersley.
Honey Joy have been a band for nine years and have played shows around the UK, Europe and as far afield as the USA. Previous stage mates include Martha, Marked Men and Radiator Hospital. Honey Joy have also announced some additional UK tour dates. See below for everything that’s coming up for them in the next few months.
SEE HONEY JOY LIVE:
5th July @ Signature Brew, Haggerston
6th July @ East Street Tap, Brighton
11th July @ Watford, The One Crown
12th July @ Dubrek Studios, Derby
13th July @ The Red Shed, Wakefield
14th July @ Two By Two Brewery, Newcastle
HONEY JOY ARE: Megan Tinsley – Vocals | Matt Tinsley – Guitar | Jason Cavalier – Drums | Joe Beal – Bass | Will Hattersley – Guitar
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