Track By Track: JOHN on their debut album ‘God Speed In The National Limit’

We were first alerted to Crystal Palace based noise-punk duo JOHN on the recommendation of our friends and allies, the similarly cacophonous drums & guitar twosome, Frauds, who thought we might approve of their searing vocals and relentless guitars.  As usual they were right, and following a raucous performance at our To Hell With Good Intentions night a few months back, we’ve been keeping tabs on JOHN ever since and were delighted to hear that the pair have just released their debut album God Speed In The National Limit through Pets Care Records, as well as a double A-side single, ‘Local Blood Sport / Spies’, through the ever wonderful Too Pure Singles Club, previously home to the likes of PJ Harvey, Future of The Left and more recently Cassels and The Lovely Eggs.

We asked drummer/vocalist John (not to be confused with guitarist Johnny) to give us the lowdown on the LP – here’s his track by track guide:

Balfron
Having lived in the East End of London for the last ten years (before moving south of the river), our opener takes its name from Erno Goldfinger’s looming brutalist tower block. I thought it would be nice to write a song from the perspective of the building surrounded by demolition and gentrification. For the keen eyed, the ‘leaf carrying ant’ lyric refers to me struggling beneath it at midnight with my gear after my train got cancelled.