Brash and Bold; The Spitfires Debut Revives Mod Mentality

Absolutely the jammiest thing in London by a mile since the recent jamboree jam-off competition at the local pantry. And I’m not talking strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or any other kind of squashed and sugared fruit compote.

Their website reads “The band are inspired by The Clash, The Jam, The Specials, The Smiths and Arctic Monkeys. Their energetic and powerful live performances have already seen them play over 200 + shows so it’s no surprise with their growing fan base and reputation, that the band came to the attention of Paul Weller and The Specials who asked them to support in recent months.” No kidding!

Absolutely no surprises there because this lot really are quite mod, they have the shoes, the trousers, the hair, the Fred Perrys, and they totally have the sound. Whoever provided this bunch of Watford youngsters with their early musical education deserves a medal. Good job!

Anyway back to the album, it’s an accomplished debut from four lads and while the sound and the feel could come across as a little bit vintage, it succeeds in providing a fresh and current take on the genre. Part Clash, part The Ruts, mostly Weller, but overall it is The Spitfires.

A unique take on modern modism, should that be post-modern modism? Who knows? All I know is that it’s music to energise, music to mobilise, music that urges you to get up and do something. Protest, riot, say something out loud and mean it from the bottom of your soul. If only more of the ‘youth’ of today had the spirit of The Spitfires, instead of the downright lethargy and can’t be bothered-ness of a lot of the kids I see around the place. “Sometimes I feel like there is no hope, sometimes I feel like I just can’t cope” (album closer: “4am”)

Ok so before this whole review goes a bit ranty, I’d like to highlight a couple of the stand out moments: the first three songs are all suitably pacy and feisty, and give a real insight into what this band is all about. Track four “Spoke too soon” (or Mary’s decider as it will now be known in all my reviews) sends things in a different, more mellow direction, and has enough sway to keep me listening to the album end.

Granted, there are a couple of less powerful songs in there, and two odd little interludes (“Serenade part 1 and part 2) which don’t really do it for me. But to be all killer no filler on your first album is a pretty tricky one to pull off, just make it happen for album number two please! I have a feeling The Spitfires would be a real treat to see live, and given that they’ve already supported some massive names in recent months, I don’t think it will be too long before I’m fully embracing the next generation of mods at a big headline gig.

To find out more about The Spitfires click here.

To visit The Spitfires Facebook page click here.

Words by Mary Long

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