Simon Oakley & The Witching Hounds Ramp Up For An Album Release
We were recently lucky enough to get a glimpse of the latest release from Simon Oakley & The Witching Hounds which turns out to be quite an invasive and engulfing rock banger of a record that blends amazing classic and indie rock elements with hard, heavy, and alternative rock but always seems to have a bit of melodically progressive overtone and feed into the energy of Arena rock at times.
The record is called In Times Of Mass Delusion, and it doesn't waste a lot of time diving right in with its first and title track, which gives you some of the amazing staples that you're going to hear throughout the rest of the record, but also lets you dig deep into the lyrics that definitely send a message.
The track introduces itself with an acoustic guitar but quickly opens up into a big rock soundscape, and you get that classic undertone. It feels like a song that was written in the late 70s, but with amazing quality, and that sort of aesthetic comes and goes throughout the record.
You have heavy-handed indie rock style vocals with some great little echo effects on them, letting them sit nicely along with the music itself, and those vocals are performed in such a robust and animated style that you get attached to them pretty quickly, along with, again, those lyrics.
A lot of the songs on the record have something to say and have a little more depth than you might expect.
As the record unfolds, along with the progressive approaches, you get some driving ones too. Tracks like "Ghost Dance" provide you with such a catchy Rhythm, edgy and hard-hitting guitars, but also this catchy feel. The song is memorable because it's got hooks both vocally and instrumentally. This is something I love about real rock music.
Good, heavier hard rock usually has some great hooks, guitar-wise, along with those killer choruses, and this record is not lacking either of those.
Then you have songs like "Rise of The Unknown", which give you more story to hold on to lyrically. I love songs like this because you do pay a lot of attention to what's going on in the song itself, but also can rock out with the whole soundscape of it.
The guitar work on this record just keeps getting better and better as the record unfolds, and this is something I adore.
There are also more than a few surprises around the corners of this album, and it's something that also boasts songs that stick with you in different ways.
Certain tracks have lyrics that stick with you more, while others have riffs or Melodies that stay with you for hours or even days after the song has ended.
Having said that, this is most certainly the kind of record you listen to in full.
Listening to one or two tracks will give you a good idea of what you might expect, but will not give you the full spectrum of what the full album has to offer.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the things that I love most about this is the energy because it's absolutely thriving the entire time.
It makes you want to go see them perform it live. It's very rare that you hear a record and immediately know that the band is going to be awesome to see in a live performance setting. This is one of those Rarities.
The other aspect about listening to the full record in one shot is that it feels almost like a concept record. Certain songs interconnect with each other in different ways, and when you listen to the words, it does feel like it's a complete story starting from the top to the bottom.
That is really cool for me because I grew up in a time of full albums.
You would hear a song on the radio and go find the record at the record store but unless you found the single tape or CD, you would just buy the album in full.
This was awesomely fun because you got the full experience listening to the album. You've got to listen to all kinds of other amazing songs and go through musical journeys you didn't expect to go through.
That's the beauty and almost magic of an album.
In Times Of Mass Delusion provides me with the same feeling. That full heavy rock album aesthetic is there through and through, and I held on to that.
Now, this is an 8-track release that, again, takes in a lot of classic rock but edgy and alternative rock influence and spits it out in its own way.
Although the record isn't out for a few weeks, set to drop September 5th, we were lucky enough to chat with the band and talk about this record, among other things.
Here's what happened.
TSWS: Did you record this at a home studio or were you at a big studio for this one?
TIM - It was recorded at a magical place with a wonderful man who is like our 5th BeatleSIMON - Kevin Jones our producer, has a wealth of experience in the music industry and has his own small studio (Eastriver Production Studio) in East Sussex, near where we live. As Tim pointed out, he is like another member of the band.
TSWS: How do you guys write songs? Is it one person who brings the songs to the band and then it evolves from there?
TIM - I write the songs in my head first and then get them from my head to a guitar. I tend to do a basic demo and then work them up from there. Everyone then gets an input.SIMON - This all started as a solo project for me during the government lockdowns - out of this intense and difficult period came a number of demos, which Tim and our original bass player, encouraged me to progress with. My approach to songwriting is fairly chaotic and ad-hoc, but always starts with me on my acoustic guitar, I never hear a song in my head, inspiration just comes to me (when it decides to). We also can’t forget our incredibly talented young lead guitarist, David French, his input into the songs is the very special ingredient, it’s a true collaboration. He is also writing songs for future albums.
TSWS: Now that this record is out there, are you guys going to be playing shows or touring at all?
SIMON - We have been playing live locally on the South Coast of England and have played in London - We came third in the Radio Wigwam Awards (Best Rock and Blues) this year and got asked to play in London - we are hoping to get nominated again. There are things going on in the background regarding support slots with established bands, watch this space! Touring? That would be amazing, but in reality as an independent band with busy family lives and work, it would require an offer we could not refuse. I would personally love to play in the USA, it’s still the only place to make it, whatever anyone tells you.
TSWS: What bands would you say are the biggest influences on this record?
SIMON - For me it’s Black Sabbath, The Who, Bowie, New Order, The Sex Pistols and The Cult - my church of rock is very broad!TIM - I’m in my fifties with an eclectic taste in music so it’s a melting pot of all those years and all those songs.
TSWS: Who are you listening to right now?
SIMON - I’ve recently been listening to a progressive rock band from Norway called Airbag.TIM - I always have the Darkness on my playlist. Those guys are so fucking cool and have written some incredible songs over the years.
TSWS: Do you have any music videos lined up for this record?
TIM - Possibly! I’d like to do a video with Margot Robbie and Nadiya Bychkova but I doubt either would agree to it !SIMON - There will be some lyric videos or maybe a performance video
Now that this is out, what's next for the band?TIM - We have a launch party planned for this album and then work continues on writing the 2nd album and hopefully recording and releasing a Christmas single. SIMON - Promotion, promotion, promotion!
TSWS: Are you already writing new stuff?
TIM - Yes. I currently have about three songs going round in my head, so it’s all happening. SIMON - Yes - there is something brewing, I have new demo’s in the works
TSWS: What would you say people can expect from this album?
TIM - I think this album brings a great mix of interesting toe tapping, catchy, sing along songs. There’s something for everyone in this album.SIMON - Among all the hooks and rock guitar solo’s, there is a very serious message on this record - we are living in some strange and dangerous times and I hope everyone listens to the lyrics and the message. It’s all in there, waiting to be discovered.
TSWS: What would you like to say to fans of the music out there?
TIM - Thank you for your support and interest in our band and the music we are creating. We are an independent band that are passionate and committed to making music that we want to hear, rather than what the big record companies (with their infinite budgets) push. Think your own thoughts, make your own decisions and choices and maybe this little band of unknowns will rise. SIMON - I agree with Tim - be true to yourself and make music you enjoy - the rest will follow.