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Northern Rock (Album - 2014)

by The Red Pills

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £5 GBP  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Triple CD Limited Edition of our first album Northern Rock. This is the very last one and we won't be making any more. CD3 is a data CD which can only be played on a PC.

    Contains:

    CD1 - album

    CD2:
    1-16. Original demos for all 15 album tracks & Rapacity, plus:
    17. Turn Your Nose Up alternate version
    18. The Bottom Line alternate version
    19. Worthless alternate version
    20 .Mr Bag

    CD3 - extras / alternates
    1. Introduction by Tony Robinson
    2. Turn Your Nose Up
    3. Party Hard Super Saxed
    4. Party Hard Space Rave
    5. Sculpted To Entice riff discussion
    6. Blue Space loom mix
    7. Mr. Nobody acoustic
    8. The Bottom Line Director's Cut (continues after Archie gets kicked out of the studio.)
    9. Bite The Hand alternate version
    10. The Genesis of Bite The Hand - the actual moment this song took shape, recorded for posterity.
    11. Bite The Hand - where did the intro come from?
    12. Developing The Wasting
    13. The Wasting discussion
    14. Broke and Broken experiment
    15. A Loan Tonight jam
    16. A Loan Tonight chat
    17. Looking Through Different Eyes acoustic
    18. Rapacity development
    19. Rapacity discussion
    20. Slash

    Comes in two CD wallet slipcases with a 12 page printed lyrics booklet and a card wraparound to keep everything in one place. Artwork by Sarah Webb.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Northern Rock (Album - 2014) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 25  1 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      £8.50 GBP or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Single CD Edition of our first album Northern Rock. Contains:

    CD1 - album

    Comes in a CD wallet slipcase with a 12 page printed lyrics booklet. Artwork by Sarah Webb.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Northern Rock (Album - 2014) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 150  9 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      £6.50 GBP or more 

     

  • T-Shirt/Apparel

    Gildan Softstyle Ringspun, 100% cotton. Black T-shirt.

    Sorry for the gendering of T-shirts, not sure how else to describe the shirts. The 'Female' shirts have shorter sleeves and are less square. Everyone should buy and wear whichever they want and we support a gender non-binary society. :) For shirt types, see photos.
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 75 
    Purchasable with gift card

      £5 GBP

     

  • T-Shirt/Apparel

    Gildan Softstyle Ringspun, 100% cotton. Red T-shirt. Sizes ranging from Small to 2XL.
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 25 
    Purchasable with gift card

      £5 GBP or more 

     

  • DVD

    DVD featuring footage recorded during the making of Northern Rock, includes band interview and photo gallery.
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 20  5 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      £3 GBP or more 

     

  • 3 different Northern Rock pin badges. 1 inch diameter.
    ships out within 5 days
    9 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 5 The Red Pills releases available on Bandcamp.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Landmines For Clowns (Album - 2016), Northern Rock (Album - 2014), What's Harriet Got? - FREE EP (2012), Missiles: 7 track EP (2010), and Awakening: 6 track EP (2009). , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      £14 GBP or more

     

  • NONE IN STOCK. REMAINS AVAILABLE PRINT ON DEMAND - Northern Rock Softcover Story / Art book

    A 40 page lyric / story / artbook with a soft card cover.

    Features an introduction to the album, complete lyrics for all 15 tracks and page by page breakdowns which provide a revealing insight into the story behind the lyrics and the making of the album. Illustrated by Sarah Webb.

    STOCK SOLD OUT. NOW ONLY AVAILABLE PRINT ON DEMAND DIRECTLY FROM BLURB: blur.by/14UIYn3 and order it directly from Blurb.

    Sold Out

  • NONE IN STOCK. REMAINS AVAILABLE PRINT ON DEMAND - Northern Rock Hardcover Story / Art book

    A 40 page lyric / story / artbook with a hard imagewrap cover.

    Features an introduction to the album, complete lyrics for all 15 tracks and page by page breakdowns which provide a revealing insight into the story behind the lyrics and the making of the album. Illustrated by Sarah Webb.

    STOCK SOLD OUT. NOW ONLY AVAILABLE PRINT ON DEMAND DIRECTLY FROM BLURB: blur.by/14XxT4P and order it directly from Blurb.

    Sold Out

1.
Walk on by – no sacrifice, success-obsessed, it’s a new life Ignore the weak, the rags beneath, blind eyes pass by such poverty As rain descends it’s evident, the huddled ones he cannot sense Are resigned to their decline, their pleading gaze – a hefty price TURN YOUR NOSE UP (NEVER COUGH UP) YOU WON’T CROSS THE LINE TURN YOUR NOSE UP (PICK YOUR PACE UP) OHH IT’S US AND THEM – ALL RIGHT? Drive on by – dehumanise, this cure assures, a settled mind No charity - a dead belief; his avarice has split the streets He turns a cheek, reflections streak, reminders in, periphery How to soothe a moral feud? Dismissively, turn on the news TURN YOUR NOSE UP (NEVER COUGH UP) YOU WON’T CROSS THE LINE TURN YOUR NOSE UP (PICK YOUR PACE UP) OHH IT’S US AND THEM – ALL RIGHT? TURN, TURN, TURN YOUR NOSE UP x3 THEY SCRAPE A LIFE WHILE YOUR FINGERS CLOSE UP
2.
Party Hard 04:04
Got the motor, got the diamond rings Shot himself up on adrenaline He’s got notions of debauchery Out for action, on a sleazy spree PARTY HARD, PARTY HARD (X3) ALL GOES ON HIS CREDIT CARD Tray of shots the, aftershocks are free Social circle, dancing sexily Moving in on willing secretaries Status makes them weaker at the knees PARTY HARD, PARTY HARD (X3) ALL GOES ON HIS CREDIT CARD They take sips of something green again He suggests tonight she brings a friend Storm his penthouse, get real close and then They show him they’re not so innocent Sooooooooooo PARTY HARD, PARTY HARD (X7) THEIR EYES ON HIS CREDIT CARD PARTY, PARTY HARD (TO FINISH)
3.
Pina Coladas on the tropical sand I’ve torn up all my final demands Out of the red and into the black Feeling good and not looking back THIS IS THE LIFE, THIS IS THE LIFE LIVING EACH MOMENT LIKE IT’S THE LAST THIS IS THE LIFE, THIS IS THE LIFE KEEP YOUR FINGERS OFF MY STASH I eat my meals in a bar by the sea I’m way too good for your company So much dust on my cinema screen Cos I pay the maid to go down on me THIS IS THE LIFE, THIS IS THE LIFE LIVING EACH MOMENT LIKE IT’S THE LAST THIS IS THE LIFE, THIS IS THE LIFE KEEP YOUR FINGERS OFF MY STASH THIS IS THE LIFE, THIS IS THE LIFE I’M FAR TOO LOADED TO BE CIVILISED THIS IS THE LIFE, THIS IS THE LIFE I’VE BECOME A GOD IN MY OWN MIND God in my own x3 God in my own mind
4.
For our protagonists, here’s a tale of investment Drawing certain parallels with the Old Testament Neither biased, nor pious it simply sits As a warning to those who would spurn stirring gifts The lady of the piece offers ripe temptation While engorged, he revels in gluttony All taken gladly and without reservation Lust’s fleeting yet gentle, to gushing relief THERE IS A PRICE WHEN YOU’RE SCULPTED TO ENTICE THERE IS A PRICE IN NOURISHMENT’S GASP TRANQUILISED BUT MEMORIES LIE AND CERTIFY NOSTALGIC LAPSE A fertile advance, comely, ensnaring Security beckons, seizing non-toxic assets Escape bruised history; horizontally repairing Symbiotic and at it like rabbits THERE IS A PRICE WHEN YOU’RE READILY ENTICED THERE IS A PRICE IN STARVING CONQUESTS ON STRAYING LIPS, REASSURANCE BELIES HIS HABITUAL UNDRESS This is not love, an affair of convenience Satisfied by delicate, insubstantial truth Staying together in comforting sustenance Each conditions such compelling subterfuge… This is not love (not love) x3 Convenience!
5.
Blue Space 03:55
Crush the spirit with officious gimmicks Pray to your leaders for blessing and merit Contact broken is dull placation A fuzzy meaningless nothing workstation There is safety in anonymity Neuter all bonding capacity Banned in favour of efficiency Evolution sacrifices intimacy BLUE SPACE – FILLS OUR VISION BLUE SPACE – TOTAL INHIBITION BLUE SPACE – KILLS INTERACTION BLUE SPACE – SOCIAL PUTREFACTION Vocal castration brings atmosphere death Dissent subdued, a purge on outlets Digression’s refuge, internalised fight Distance and obstacles sanitised Spark disconnected, at your behest Divide and conquer, your proud epithet Caging all lions, resigned to the circus Friendship does not sell, hence it is surplus BLUE SPACE – FILLS OUR VISION BLUE SPACE – TOTAL INHIBITION BLUE SPACE – KILLS INTERACTION BLUE SPACE – SOCIAL PUTREFACTION Control. Control. Control. Control. A prisoner speaks out of line – no parole Control. Control. Control. Control. Remote ignorance to stifle our souls These blue boards, a metaphor Absence of life, dying inside
6.
Mr. Nobody 04:32
It’s just a day, in the life, of Mr. Nobody Dragged from cherished slumber into bleary-eyed routine Eats his cereal and drinks a cup of tea Dons a suit and tie and shaves half-heartedly MR. NOBODY x3 It’s just a day, in the life, of Mr. Nobody Contemplate this isolation oh so wearily In a dreary office is the stark reality In this life he chose to dream of prosperity MR. NOBODY x3 Fear for Mr. Nobody Asset of the company Trapped in this wage slavery Losing his humanity It’s just a day, in the life, of Mr. Nobody Half past five arrives and the traffic is obscene He’ll curl up in an armchair and watch the TV Til eleven o’ clock, when it’s time to go to sleep TIME TO GO TO SLEEP x3 Time. To go. To sleep.
7.
Archie Warner: “Good evening. The news tonight… Proletarian uprising! Two million people march on Downing Street: If anyone thought that the British were an apathetic race, they can think again - effigies of Brown, Darling, Cameron and Osborn defaced and burned. The masses are angry; angry at the wilful neglect and irreverent attitude of the city slickers and the failure of the government to deal with their selfish excesses, angry at the corruption in the ranks of their elected representatives, and angry that their collective voice is being heedlessly ignored. Here’s Harry Johnson at the site of the disturbance…” Harry Johnson: “Thank you Archie, The Prime Minister…” (is interrupted) Protester: “GIMME THAT MIC…” Protester sings: Don’t bore me with your, rigid rhetoric Heard it before I’ve, had enough of it “Must try harder, must do better” Must sacrifice who you are forever Eyes and ears of, company reproach Utter conformist, her being devotes “Break the will of the daring dreamer” Break corporate guidelines, and you’re a sinner THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THEY THINK THEY OWN US THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT PROFIT IS THE HOLY FOCUS Vapid decisions, taken by bigots Insidious and ill-considered “Here are your figures, now have a nice day” Here is your soul – trapped, eroded, enslaved Your rules dictated by high positions Self-righteous blowhards piss on your wisdom An institutionalised piston Escape their machine and change the system * THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THEY THINK THEY OWN US THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT PROFIT IS THE HOLY FOCUS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF THEY COULD CLONE US FROM ARCHETYPES THEY, WOULD CREATE LIFE ON, ASSEMBLY LINES, TO CHARM SHAREHOLDERS Protester: “You see what they’ve done? This int fair. We pay our taxes and our taxes are used to bail out people who’ve got more money than sense. These greasy crooks have gambled with our very livelihoods and lost. It’s time for them to pay up, time for them to sell their flash cars and their plush penthouse apartments. Time for them to sell, even the extravagant and unnecessary suits from their backs. Every. Single. Ill-gotten gain should be auctioned off in order to sort. This. Mess. Out! Harry Johnson: “Ahem. Back to you Archie, in the studio” Shouting, arguing, voices raised in dissent… Archie Warner: “Well that young man’s given me an idea. I’ve had enough of this desk job. Ohh I’ve had enough. Ohh, look at this – I’m dancing, I’m dancing on the desk, I’m dancing on the desk. Never mind that! You get on with your job. I’m leaving. No, no, no, no, no, I will not calm down. I am inspired. Inspired to join the revolution. You can stick your autocue up your a___.
8.
Not A Number 03:04
I am a number, in your eyes A statistic to be analysed I am a digit, in your mind Characteristics to be utilised I’M NOT A NUMBER, I AM A FREE MAN I’M NOT A PRISONER STUCK IN A MACHINE AND I’M NOT A CIPHER, TREAT ME LIKE A HUMAN I’M NOT A NUMBER, I AM A FREE MAN I am a number, in your eyes All my glories are classified I am a figure, in your mind Aberrant element to be rationalised Chaotic, erratic - I refuse to live on automatic I’M NOT A NUMBER, I AM A FREE MAN Erratic, chaotic - I cannot be defined by logic Piss off and leave me alone I’ve got something that you don’t own Fuck off and leave me alone I’ve got something that you don’t own I’M NOT A PRISONER STUCK IN A MACHINE AND I’M NOT A CIPHER, TREAT ME LIKE A HUMAN Fortean flicker, brings anarchy with vigour With absence of order, designations aren’t important I’M NOT A CIPHER I’M NOT A NUMBER I’M NOT A LIFER I’M NOT AN UNDERLING FOR ALL YOU’RE PREDICTING YOU’LL NEVER CODIFY WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THESE EYES
9.
The glove it holds your grain, all Drugged to make you safe, in The vicious circle, Queen Anaesthetises workers In a financial regime, one Eye on your pension scheme, through Hand-outs you’re appeased, but A screaming conscience grieves SO I URGE YOU ALL, TO BITE THE HAND STICK TWO UP AT THE MONEY MAN BITE THE HAND, BITE THE HAND BITE THE HAND… THAT FEEDS An acid is contained, will Placidly refrains, from Joining power in a sentence Purgatory is your penance If you stay inert, no Wrath will be incurred Silence buys a month’s existence Your pay cheque is assured SO I URGE YOU ALL TO BITE THE HAND STICK TWO UP AT THE MONEY MAN BITE THE HAND, BITE THE HAND BITE THE HAND… THAT FEEDS They can treat you like shit and you won’t quit because you need A comfort blanket to protect you from the streets They can treat you like shit and you won’t quit because you need A comfort blanket to protect you, hey it’s kept you from the streets SO I URGE YOU ALL TO BITE THE HAND STICK TWO UP AT THE MONEY MAN BITE THE HAND, BITE THE HAND BITE THE HAND… THAT FEEDS
10.
The Wasting 06:48
Being whittled away; a curious feeling, last of the recruits All fortune stale, desire peeling from a rotten fruit These blockades prevent us leaving, how very astute Forced our hand by quiet scheming holding ill repute THIS IS THE WASTING – SO MUCH POTENTIAL SPOILED THIS IS THE WASTING – A MOTIVATIONLESS RECOIL THIS IS THE WASTING – IN A WINTRY SOLITUDE THIS MIND IS RACING – DOWN RESTRICTED AVENUES Day to day the same old problem, boredom – it repeats It’s a plague; encroaching symptoms worsen by the week Patience pays but this position’s short on guarantees Under sway and held to ransom – personal defeat THIS IS THE WASTING – SO MUCH POTENTIAL SPOILED THIS IS THE WASTING – A MOTIVATIONLESS RECOIL THIS IS THE WASTING – WEARIED BY RECURRING FUGUE THIS MIND IS FACING – YEARS OF VACANT SERVITUDE Warning signs, from on high Wait in line, paralysed Wasting time, wasting time Wasting yours, wasting mine Warning signs, from on high Wait in line, sodomised Wasting lives, wasting lives Wasting yours, wasting mine (Repeat and fade)
11.
Six months ago I was secure, didn’t enjoy but I endured One fateful day in August, got told I was surplus! Brought about mixed emotions, feelings of desertion How dare they do this to me - What. A. Cheek! FIVE GRAND, TO FUCK OFF THEY OFFERED FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF IT’S ONLY FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A JOB! Pressure weighing heavy on me, just a one-click release Enticed by dangling freedom - Future. Un. Certain! Sounds like a lot of money five grand, but employment’s scarce in England When you’re on the dole well it won’t last - Pockets. Full of. Ballast! FIVE GRAND, TO FUCK OFF THEY OFFERED FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF IT’S ONLY FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A JOB! “This is a one-time offer, it’s purely confidential £500 as a ‘sweetener’, I’ll put it on the table You must not discuss this, with any of your colleagues If you do, it’s forfeit - You’ll be. Dis. Missed! FIVE GRAND, TO FUCK OFF THEY OFFERED FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF IT’S ONLY FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A JOB! FIVE GRAND, TO FUCK OFF THEY OFFERED FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF IT’S ONLY FIVE, GRAND, TO FUCK OFF IT’S ONLY FIVE GRAND, FIVE GRAND
12.
I’m sure your rationale for leaving Is that my wealth is decreasing Grafted for a life of bliss You spent it all on pointless shit Won’t become you to survive A shameless scheme I could contrive: Consolidate this union’s debt And find a trusting bachelorette YOU GOT YOUR CLAWS INTO ME YOU PAID FOR PROMISCUITY I THOUGHT IT MADE YOU HAPPY BROKE AND BROKEN, BROKE AND BROKEN Mate with many parasites Mock the comfort I provide It’s bought and kept and wept disguised Always bridesmaid, never bride Send me for a shopping fix Slip twixt double D cup and lips For linen’s perfumed evidence There is no shallow recompense YOU NEVER CARED MUCH FOR ME EXPRESSED MY LOVE SEXUALLY MY BUT YOU ‘LOVED’ SO MANY YOUR DECEPTION’S, RAPED AFFECTION YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME (BOTH) MATERIAL MERCENARY NICE LINE IN SANCTIMONY BROKE AND BROKEN, HERE’S HOPING
13.
With his income stymied Deals to fill his wallet Solvent for a time just Don’t ask where he got it Not long ago – he snorted coke to stroke counterfeit bonds LOOK FOR BAILOUT FUNDS HE’S FOUND A LOAN TONIGHT NOW HE’S ON THE RUN FROM CREDITORS WITH GUNS Stripped of all possessions Stumbling in fatigue Dripping wet and breathless Ruined by the city Bonds that broke – oh he should have known and exercised his share options LOOK FOR BAILOUT FUNDS HE’S FOUND A LOAN TONIGHT NOW HE’S ON THE RUN FROM CREDITORS WITH GUNS Borrow, borrow, borrow and borrow x3 Borrow more than you’ll earn tomorrow Borrow, borrow, borrow and borrow x3 Borrow more than you’ll earn tomorrow To the ruthless beholden But finally comprehending A draining microcosm Of unscrupulous lending Borrow borrow, borrow, borrow and borrow Borrow more than you’ll earn tomorrow
14.
Fate has led me here So desolate inside The life I once revered Is a life I now revile In opulence we trust But its pursuit corrupts Eviscerates my love I’m wrapped in self-disgust LOOKING THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES x3 What have I become? Loss and guilt entwined Unravelling, undone A rift across my mind Peer between the cracks While voices sear the depths Scared to interact Wish I’d kept my friends LOOKING THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES x3 Somewhere in here, there are fragments of self Waiting to get out, waiting to get out x3 Somewhere in here, there are fragments of self, Waiting to get out, who will I be tomorrow now? LOOKING THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES x6
15.
Worthless 10:26
Walked on, drove on, blind to those beneath Sold my, soul for, material beliefs And I was someone, whose ego scaled the ladder The golden boy, now forgotten by his masters Wealth, as mud, has buried me A landslide into bankruptcy THIS IS THE END I’M LOSING EVERYTHING THIS IS THE E-E-END ALL MY AVARICE COULD BRING Chewed up, spat out, here is irony Washed up, wasted, karma’s come for me And I am nothing, the merest shadow A polar vagrancy that chills the marrow Bones, as lead, veins, as ice Counterpoint to paradise THIS IS THE END I’M LOSING EVERYTHING THIS IS THE E-E-END ALL MY AVARICE COULD BRING She came to me at my lowest ebb No longer had I strength to beg I’m derelict, of little worth But still she reached into her purse No meagre coin enlivened me But slender fingers held a key “Take this, make yourself at home You don’t have to fight this on your own It won’t be easy, but I’ve seen People defy their misery” In perfect awe, a hopeful shudder Here’s redemption held in wonder I wept upon her charity A flood of tears in sweet relief I have a chance, to shake my past For which I can never repay her A second chance, a different path The kindness of a stranger I have a chance to shake my past I have a chance, a different path I have a chance to shake my past I have a chance I have a chance I x4 I have a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaance!

about

A 15 track, 1 hour, funk, punk, rock 'n' roll album which tells the story of one banker during the credit crunch and ensuing recession.

credits

released February 15, 2014

All music and lyrics by The Red Pills
Produced by Nick Shakhlevich

Vox - Captain Mayhem
Guitar - Major Two Scoops
Bass - Colonel D. Bugger
Drums - General Ignorance

Vox on track 12. Backing vox on tracks 2 & 3 - Kat Swift
Additional vox on track 15 - Miranda Arieh
Keys on tracks 2 & 8 - Paul Austwick
Hurdy Gurdy on tracks 10 & 15 - Rory Scammell
Sax on tracks 2, 4, 7, 15 - Ian Douglas

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about

The Red Pills Leeds, UK

The Red Pills took their name from the 1999 movie 'The Matrix.' In one scene, Keanu Reeves' character 'Neo' is presented with a choice of pills to ingest; a red pill or a blue pill. Each is a metaphor - taking the blue pill will allow Neo to continue to live a cosy, comfortable lie. Taking the red pill will allow him to wake up to the truth. ... more

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