The Urban Voodoo Machine takes "15 Shots" to Germany this fall
25-06-2018We know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking: “Why should I care about The Urban Voodoo Machine? They’ve been around for ages, haven’t they? Aren't they a novelty band who wears funny make-up? Don't they sometimes play jazz? Aren’t half of them dead or something?” So bear with us, sunshine, cos you clearly need educating.
The story starts with Paul-Ronney Angel, a man with a double-barrelled first name. I could be a wanker about this and say the story starts with Bon Scott-era AC/ DC – with Tom Waits, or the Clash, Louis Armstrong, the Pogues, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Johnny Cash, Lionel Bart or Bertolt Brecht – but let’s stick with Paul-Ronney, it’s quicker. Paul-Ronney Angel ate his parents and fled the fjords of Norway with just a bottle of moonshine and several slices of decomposing fish in his back pocket. (Before he left they tried him in the Norwegian Army – he lasted a total of five hours.) After that, Angel washed up in London during the dying breaths of Thatcherism and took advantage of all that swinging London had to offer: he sold The Big Issue, busked Johnny Thunders & Robert Johnson numbers in Soho bus stops and played guitar for anyone who'd have him.
We're 15 years ahead in time and after kicking off the New Year with latest single January Blues, The Urban Voodoo Machine released "15 Shots From The Urban Voodoo Machine" to cellibrate a special year. 15 shots is a retrospective of their 15 year career featuring all the single releases along the way. Whether you’re looking for politics & depression - While We Were All Asleep, Rusty Water & Coffin Nails -: remembering the dead, - Goodnight My Dear & Fallen Brothers -, a Wilko Johnson collab, - Help Me Jesus -, an anti-love song - Love Song #666 & Rather You Shot Me Down - or a Latin dance - Crazy Maria - ask abou the tattoo! 15 Shots... caters for the rascal, the villain, the swindler & the crook.
Despite their influences, Angel insists that “we’re not Americana and we’re definitely not retro... I write songs about living in London right now. Although having a s**t time, no money, heartbreak, mental illness, addiction and suppression from ‘the big guy’ is kinda universal and timeless.”
25 AUG: Harelbeke (BE) @ Stassegem Kermis
22 NOV: Berlin (DE) @ Quasimodo
23 NOV: Hamburg (DE) @ Monkeys Music Club
24 NOV: Wredenhagen (DE) @ Café Scheune
25 NOV: Cologne (DE) @ Sonic Ballroom