Giant Drag - Swan Song

Here are BobbySix.com, we're massive fans of Giant Drag. Indeed, when, nearly three years back, frontwoman Annie Hardy was trying to scrape enough money together to fund the recording of a new album without the clout of a label behind her, we put our hands in our pockets while also helping to spread the word. The album is on its way, but, in the interim, Hardy and her trusty drummer Micah Calabrese brought out the fan-funded Swan Song EP.

Considering Giant Drag's debut album - which hit shelves almost half-a-decade ago - contained perky post-grunge songs with titles such as Kevin Is Gay and You Fuck Like My Dad, the EP's title track is surprisingly ruminative and slow-paced, only bursting into life in its final third. That's not to say it isn't a strong start, as heavenly aahs soar over Hardy's distinctive guitar sound.

Next, Stuff To Live For is outstanding. Again, it starts slowly yet this time builds to the point where Hardy is belting out a throaty, visceral howl. As well as stretching her vocal in new directions, the song is epic, rousing, powerful and the perfect example of why Giant Drag have been so sorely missed during their absence. 

Perhaps the track that lands most closely to their brilliant debut, Hearts and Unicorns, is White Baby, as fuzzy grunge guitars combine with chunky riffs, sweet harmonies and a pop melody as Hardy tells us "I wanna have all your babies/White babies with you," with a sugar sweet vocal. It sounds like 1984 Madonna fronting Nirvana with The Ronettes as backing vocalists. Or something.

The four-track EP ends with a swerve ball in the form of a stripped-back love song featuring just Hardy's voice and an acoustic guitar. It's as tender, heartfelt a moment as we have ever heard from the usually flippant Annie Hardy and crowns a triumphant return that shows extra dimensions to the Giant Drag sound as well as further depth and maturity to their tone and lyrics. Swan Song EP is the perfect appetiser for the new album due for release later this year.

Review by Rob Townsend. Check out the live performance of Swan Song below:

Giant Drag are back on the live circuit.

Giant Drag, who, back in 2005 released one of the best debut albums so far this millennium, have been away for a while. Amid financial turmoil within the music industry and with band members leaving and then returning, genius front-woman Annie Hardy has been busy raising funds for the follow-up. With a fan-funded EP in the bag and an album not far away, Hardy and Micah Calabrese, her drummer/keyboardist (he plays them both at the same time), are playing a couple of gigs.

The bad news is that, unless you are in California, you won't get to see the duo in action just yet. Hardy explains, "For all the other cities and countries that our lovely fans keep asking, 'When are you coming to ___?' The answer is, when a label or private investor gives us money or someone donates a veggie oil powered van to us. Or a regular van. A mini van and limousine would work too. Trust us, we want to come play for you but times are tough. I had popcorn for dinner last night."

So, the rest of us will have to wait but, those of you who in the neighbourhood. Here are the details of the couple of dates on the horizon.

Wednesday, Dec 29th
The Satellite
Los Angeles,
California.

Monday, Jan 24th
The Troubadour (with White Lies)
Hollywood,
California.

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.