Rising London punk 5-piece Chubby and the Gang have shared a new song and accompanying music video. “Lightning Don’t Strike Twice” was premiered by Steve Lamacq of BBC 6Music, and is part of a double A-side 7″ out on May 28th that will feature another new track entitled “Life’s Lemons”. “Lightning” is a three-minute ride through the band’s entire mood board – opening with lap slide noodling before steering into anthemic pub rock with snarling lyrics. The video was directed by Jasper Cable-Alexander and takes inspiration from ’90s internet cafés.
Singer/lyricist Charlie Manning says of the song:
“I wrote this song about social inequality. Not mine but the people I saw around me. I feel like the whole premise of poverty is presented like this game in which if you play your cards right, you can escape. In reality, it’s more like playing a game of dice when they’re loaded against your favour. Constantly being struck by lightning and being told that it will never happen again. I remember witnessing someone’s telephone voice where they had to change their phone voice when conducting business or applying for jobs, so they don’t come across as if they are from a lower class.
I wrote the last verse about that because it disgusted me that in a system supposedly created on meritocracy, a human being has to change their identity to try and shake unemployment. I’ve had very few jobs that required me to go for an interview. No one really cares who you are when you drive a minicab or layout cables, so I’m lucky in that sense. But many people aren’t.”
Both “Lightning” and “Life’s Lemons” will appear on the band’s highly anticipated sophomore LP due out later this year. More music + info on that coming soon!
Chubby and the Gang recently performed virtually for SXSW; watch them play “All Along the Uxbridge Road” off their acclaimed 2020 debut Speed Kills HERE.
Chubby and the Gang have also confirmed a run of UK and IE tour dates later this year, routing HERE.