When we sent out messages to bands and artists asking them to contribute an exclusive track to our 20th anniversary compilation, I was hopeful that we might get ten songs – enough to make it an album rather than an EP. I wasn’t expecting that we’d end up with so many songs that we’d have to split them over three albums. I wasn’t expecting that some bands would record something specifically for us, rather than dusting off an old demo or live recording that was yet to see the light of day. I wasn’t expecting that some would write songs specifically for our little project. I definitely wasn’t expecting that anyone would form a band in order to write and record something for us.
But that is exactly what happened. Welcome then Margaret’s Ashtray, a group formed of members of the legendary Neville Staples’ (he of The Specials) live band, including long-term Joyzine fave Billy Shinbone, and their debut track ‘Do Not Ask to Know The Day That Joy Will Come to You’, a 60 second blast of technicolour psych-pop that opens the third and final installment of our compilation series. We are delighted today to bring you the premiere of its video.
Speaking of the track, Billy explains, “‘Do Not Ask To Know The Day When Joy Will Come To You’ was written & recorded especially for this compilation. It sprang into being at a time of great uncertainty for all those involved, & we wanted to cook up a little bowl of intensely nourishing joy that could be consumed in a single mouthful. So it’s exactly one minute long & is the very first recording by Margaret’s Ashtray. The song has given birth to the band itself, which didn’t exist before but which will now continue.
So please allow us to introduce ourselves to you with 60 seconds of joy for Joyzine, HOPE Not Hate & anyone who cares to listen.“
20 Years of Joy: Vol. 3, featuring this track along with 31 other exclusive tunes is available now via Bandcamp, all proceeds to HOPE not hate.
Article by Paul Maps
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