HUDDERSFIELD band The Scaramanga Six are preparing to go back out on the road – this time as a four-piece.
The band’s dark and brooding pop has been absent from the scene for some months, after a series of difficulties.
They had been due to release their fifth studio album A Pound Of Flesh, earlier this year after the success of taster single Walking Through Houses.
But their long-term colleague and producer Tim Smith suffered a severe heart attack in summer and is now on the slow road to recovery.
Out of respect they decided to postpone work on the album until he is fit to take on the project.
All was quiet on the live front too, following the departure of band member Chris Catalyst.
Chris is now focusing his efforts on his role as singer and guitarist in new band Eureka Machines, for whom Scaramanga Six bassist Steven Morricone also plays bass and sax.
Steven said: “We can’t thank Chris enough for his excellent keyboard hammering, percussive interjections and the odd bit of tromboning over the last few years.”
So, his departure has been on good terms – but has left the Scaramanga Six with some re-shuffling to do.
They have fashioned themselves as a fearsome four-piece and have come up with a new set of material to assault the ears of their patient fans.
Armed with brand new songs, shiny new guitars and a new determination to rock harder than before, they are due to enter the studio to record their sixth album.
Steven said: “The Scaramanga Six have not been content to lie down and be beaten. The music is leaner and every one of us is playing with a rejuvenated clarity.
“This new album has been written in its entirety and will be recorded and released as quick as the knockout jab of the boxer determined to shake off a flooring in the first round.”
You’ll be able to get a taste of this new material before the album comes out, as the Scaramanga Six are taking to the road.
They performed a much-awaited gig at Bar 1:22 in Huddersfield on October 24 and rocked the Puzzle Hall at Sowerby Bridge the next night with two sets – one of new songs and the other featuring old favourites.
Their odd rock opera can be seen next at Hi-Fi Club in Leeds on November 7 and at The Parish in Huddersfield on November 8 – at which twin brothers Steven and singer Paul will celebrate their birthday.
From there, the journey will take them to Manchester, Selby and Doncaster.
If you have a taste for their live act, you’re in luck – a live sessions album is being collated, entitled The Hot Flesh Rumble.
The mail-order only album will feature songs recorded raw and live by the band for radio sessions over the years. Not only will there be grittier versions of older songs, there will be tracks from the postponed album A Pound Of Flesh.
In a fit of generosity, the band are also slashing the price of recent single Walking Through Houses to £2 and last album The Dance Of Death for £5.
Steven said: “Grab the album and the single right now to avoid our glares asking why you didn’t get them when they were first released. Think of it as an amnesty for people who can’t be bothered to buy records by bands they like. Do it now and we won’t think any less of you!”
For more about the band, visit www.thescaramangasix.co.uk or www.myspace.com/thescaramangasix.
