Bang Bang Romeo, a 60’s rock-influenced four-piece from South Yorkshire, are making a splash at the moment with their new single, ‘Johannesburg’ which is currently being play-listed on Xfm as well as receiving airplay on both Radio 1 and 6 Music. The hardworking Yorkshire group have been busy on the live circuit as well as with triumphant appearances at the legendary Isle of Wight festival in June, and more recently, last month’s Tramlines Festival in Sheffield.
‘Johannesburg’ is an epic-sounding rock-pop song with touches of Jefferson Airplane, ‘Back to Black’ era Amy Winehouse, and all the drama of a classic Bond theme. The twanging guitars and sun-baked mariachi horns that appear throughout the chorus also bring a Spaghetti Western feel to the song and it seems the band are certainly keen to push the cinematic qualities of their music, with bassist Joel saying the band are huge Tarantino fans. They even go as far as to cite ‘Django Unchained’ as part of the inspiration for the single.
Singer Anastasia Walker has a powerful voice and puts it to good use throughout the track, belting out the strong, catchy chorus with conviction. The rhythm section of Joel Phillips and Richard Gartland, on bass and drums respectively, lay down a crisp and tight backing for those soaring vocals and guitarist Ross Cameron adds plenty of subtle yet effective contributions to the song’s Haight Ashbury vibe, from a Morricone-style tremolo effect to a fuzzed-up atmospheric solo.
The band’s website is http://www.bangbangromeo.com/
Bang Bang Romeo on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbromeo
Bang Bang Romeo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bangbangromeo
