The Return of Giant Drag

You may remember that, last year, I wrote about how Giant Drag's Annie Hardy - having parted company with both her record company and the other half of her band, drummer/keyboardist Micah Calabrese - was trying to scrape together enough dosh to release a new record. How was she planning to do this? Basically, by calling on donations from her loyal fanbase in exchange for a shout-out on the liner notes and by rummaging around under her bed and finding cool Giant Drag memorabilia to sell on ebay.

Without the clout of a label to support her, the eighteen-months or so since she had this idea have been hard work for Hardy, but things are finally starting to come together. Having unsuccessfully trialled different band members to replace Micah, the two are now back together. It is unclear whether or not this is a long-term reunion, but the insanely-talented pair are set to take the stage for some September shows in LA with The Charlatans. In terms of new material, enough money was raised to record an EP, which should see the light of day soon. Excitingly (considering how their debut long-player, Heart and Unicorns, was one of the albums of the Millennium so far), work is set to begin on a new album later in the year.

Recently, the duo played a four song session for groupee.com. Showing a natural progression from their first record, Giant Drag's post-grunge sound is as edgy, fresh and exciting as ever, and it's great to have a naturally charismatic, captivating front-woman like Hardy back on the scene. Amongst the songs they showcased was a brand new track, Mess If My Face:
Also performed was the title track of the highly anticipated EP, Swan Song:


The band also played YFLMD from the first record, and another newie, Stuff To Live For. Check these songs out over at Groupee.

UPDATE: The Charlatans shows have been cancelled, so I hear.