Marc Valentine, the charismatic singer-songwriter-guitarist who Vive Le Rock magazine dubbed “the new king of British power-pop”, will release a new single ‘Tyrannical Wrecks’ through Little Steven’s Wicked Cool Records on 1 March.
Urgent, impassioned and explosive, this three-minute punk barnstormer plays to the fine tradition of protest songs, taking a peek inside the mind of people in authority who are happy to “destroy for success”, as the reliably catchy chorus puts it.
Says Marc: “‘Tyrannical Wrecks’ is an observation of the abuse and vanity of power. It was inspired by the pandemic – when, through the lockdowns, there were different rules for the privileged, and no consequences. Their parties, networking and money-making schemes carried on as normal. They flaunted their power with disdain, as people cowered in their homes, terrified and alone. We lost so many people, and so many things, yet they gained even more power and wealth.”
An unusual addition to the Valentine catalogue (“I tend not to write songs with political themes,” he says), it is, by the singer’s admission, “a cynical little ditty”. But, as with any good rallying cry, it’s designed to inspire – to stand strong, in solidarity with the affected. “It carries the positive energy of that last hope: that there are better things ahead.”
Produced by Dave Draper (The Wildhearts, Ryan Hamilton, The Professionals), ‘Tyrannical Wrecks’ is the third single to be taken from Marc’s second solo album Basement Sparks, which is set for release on 22 March.
As frontman of Last Great Dreamers – a flamboyant and colourful power-pop band with roots in London’s ’90s glam-rock scene – Marc co-wrote and performed on four well-received albums, before launching a solo career with 2022’s Future Obscure, a 12-track collection that quickly became his most acclaimed work to date.
Tour Dates
Thu 4 Apr – London Water Rats (w/The Speedways)
Fri 5 Apr – Rotherham Hive
Sat 6 Apr – Manchester Retro
Fri 12 Apr – Nottingham Tap N Tumbler
Sat 13 Apr – Hull Aloft
Sun 14 Apr – Norwich Reindeer
Thu 30 May – Southampton Heartbreakers
Fri 31 May – Reading Facebar
