Having spent over 30 years making music to widespread critical acclaim, Merseyside hero Ian Prowse releases his brand-new album ‘No Names‘ via Learpholl Music.
Twelve albums in and Ian Prowse hasn’t softened, he’s sharpened. ‘No Names’ brings together guests like Elvis Costello, Steve Wickham, Damien Dempsey and Rosalita Prowse, Ian’s 14-year-old daughter, for his most focused collection yet: strikingly sharp social commentary, politically committed and gloriously melodic.
“It’s rock, it’s roll, it’s Celtic soul,” says Ian. “For some fans this one will be the best yet – it’s got a bit of everything. Half the songs address the wider world; radical hope, protest songs if you like. The other half maps out where my emotional life and memories are at in 2026. Just like Lennon used to.”
The album starts as it means to go on, opening with ‘To The Letter,’ a pointed rant at those using revolutionary chic to gain attention – setting the tone for an album that refuses to look away. Lead single ‘Keynote Speech’ is a rollicking, communal singalong built around a sax solo and a chanting chorus of ‘Enough is Enough‘ – a rallying cry against societal injustice, and one that couldn’t feel more timely. ‘Rendezvous Point’ featuresvocalsfromIan’s daughter Rosalita plus Steve Wickham from The Waterboys providing the swing while The Cleaner brings in the unmistakable voice ofElvis Costello. “My mum was a cleaner, they’re on the frontline in the class war. Obviously there’s 2 different types of ‘rising up’ at play during the song” says Ian. “Elvis’s familiar crooning sneer is just what the doctor ordered.”
Watch the video here: The Cleaner – Ian Prowse (feat. Elvis Costello)
Elsewhere the poignant ‘Stand Your Ground’ is an anthem of friendship, love & defiance against old age whilst title track ‘No Names’ is Ian’s unflinching ‘song of the street’. Ian explains: “There’s the official law of the land and the law of the jungle. You can’t live in a place like where I’m from and be out and about and not be touched by it. Violence will erupt around you or on you sooner or later.”
Other highlights include ‘Born In A Merry Hour’ that celebrates the strange times of lockdowns and the Latin flavoured ‘Black Messiah’ which continues Ian’s tradition of writing songs in honour of those history should never forget. Having previously paid tribute to Dessie Warren, Diego Maradona, Che Guevara and Grace Gifford here he turns his attention to Fred Hampton – the Black Panther murdered by the US government, aged just 21. And don’t miss ‘When Bobby Was Alive’ – a folk-rock duet with Irish legend Damien Dempsey – written about the life of Irish republican prisoner Bobby Sands whose death on hunger strike in 1981, became a defining moment of the Northern Ireland conflict. The song examines his life in three parts: with the final eulogy sung by Cavan singer Fiona McConnell bringing together his deep effect on the Irish psyche.
Thirty years into his career, Ian Prowse is as outspoken, as compassionate and as musically sharp as he’s ever been. ‘No Names’ is the sound of an artist with plenty left to say and more than enough songs to say it with.
Bio:
Ian Prowse‘s journey in music began with indie band Pele back in 1991. The band signed to Polydor and promptly had a Number 1 hit in South Africa with ‘Megalomania‘. The band’s relentless touring won them a huge cult live following, with multiple successful headline UK tours. They also opened for The Pogues and Del Amitri on their respective 1992 sold out tours. Along with their acclaim won on the road, Pele saw significant radio success, with their first four singles hitting the BBC Radio 1 playlist.
Ian then formed Amsterdam in 1999 – while the millennium was a slow start for the band, everything changed in 2005. Their classic hit ‘Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?‘ had John Peel weeping live on air every time he played it, and the track was then covered by legend Christy Moore and taken to Number 1 in the Irish LP charts. Amsterdam signed to London independent label Beat Crazy, their first single cracking the top 40 at no.32.
In the last couple of years, Ian has been inducted into the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame, sold out the 100 Club, and opened for Elvis Costello’s last three UK tours, along with shows with The Wonder Stuff, the Blow Monkeys and Damien Dempsey, adding constantly to his ever-expanding fan club. His last album was 2022’s One Hand on the Starry Plough.
Ian counts The Stranglers‘ Jean Jacques Burnel, the late Janice Long, presenter Gary Crowley, Mick Jones and comedian Chris Addison as huge admirers of his songwriting.
Often referred to as the ‘Scouse Springsteen’ Ian’s incendiary live show has wowed crowds at Reading, Glastonbury, Beautiful Days and Kendal Calling – and can soon be seen opening for The Waterboys & The Wonder Stuff.
TRACKLISTING:
1. To The Letter
2. Keynote Speech
3. Rendezvous Point
4.The Cleaner
5.Stand Your Ground
6. No Names
7. Born In A Merry Hour
8. Mo’s Wheel
9. Black Messiah
10. When Bobby Was Alive
11. 300 Miles
Produced by Paul Thompson & Ian Prowse
‘NO NAMES’ IS OUT NOW
TOUR DATES HERE
