"The Penny Black Remedy Don’t Play Venues, More Like Storm Them…. They Remind You Just How Powerful Live Music Can Be…"Following their riotous debut single ’95 Charing Cross Road’, The Penny Black Remedy further parade their unique blend of ska, blues, reggae, country and rock with this, their excellent first full length album, ‘No One’s Fault But Your Own’ – released through their own label, Soundinistas on May 18th 2009.
Recorded and produced in Zagreb, Croatia, by the successful Croatian Songwriter/Performer Robert Nappholz who performs and writes for the infamous Croatian band Fali V, ‘No Ones Fault But Your Own’ is a brilliant body of work showcasing the superb songwriting talents of lead singer Keith M Thomson, and the wonderful musical knitwork of the ensembled musicians who masterfully execute his unique vision of Balkan-style country ska.
Effortlessly blending an array of different musical styles and combining this with such varied themes throughout the album including unemployment, brothels, love, death and filmstars the diversity of the member’s backgrounds becomes strongly apparent.
Indeed, all four members hail from different countries.After moving to London, a combination of serendipity and sordid late-night drinking sessions soon brought him into contact with exactly the sort of likeminded and talented musicians who could make his idea’s become a reality.
With classically trained Croatian vocalist/percussionist, Marijana Hajdarhodzic, Dutch drummer Wilco Van Eijk and bass player Steve Nelson from London, the band set about mixing their different influences to great effect.
“Drink has often given me the courage to pursue my many day dreams, some with positive results - others less so”, Thomson explains. “Luckily, this time proved to be positively glorious.”The Penny Black Remedy’s symbiance of darkly comic, unpretentiously intelligent, stubbornly genre defying and catchy songs and their exhilarating live shows have been wowing audiences and promoters alike in places as far afield as London, Holland and Croatia.
In fact it is their live reputation above all that has provided them with many of the highlights of last year; Winning the prestigious Gibson Guitar Best Alternative Act at the 2008 UK Indy Awards, playing a sold out three night residency in respected London venue The 12 Bar Club and sharing bills with such distinguished acts as The Buzzcocks, Starsailor, Joanna Newsom and Alabama 3 to name a few.
They have also performed to thousands at festivals such as Stokefest, London and the Valkoff Festival in Nijmegen, Holland.The Penny Black Remedy are offering a truly refreshing dose of exhilarating music, so if you’re tiring of the fleeting fads of MOR indie-pop, this marvelous debut album could be just what the doctor orders.
Keith Thomson - Guitars / VocalsMarijana Hajdarhodzic - Vocals / PercussionSteve Nelson - Bass / VocalsWilco van Eijk - Drums / Vocalswww.thepennyblackremedy.com
