MacD on Music: Heat Of The Moment

Earlier this year, we bid farewell to Parker. It had been a fun ride, but all good things must come to an end. Fortunately, we got a brilliant farewell show when they played in between Muck Savage and TRAMP at the launch of the latter’s EP ‘BIMBOFICATION’ (available now in Cool Discs).

This past August saw the return of former Parker frontman Dylan Bradley with his new project Dylan Bradley & the Heat and his new single ‘Makes Me Feel Good’ (out now). I caught up with Dylan recently to talk about the Heat and the new song:

“Basically, whenever Parker was starting to wind down, I didn’t want to stop writing. I wanted to maybe focus less on the whole being in a band trying to make it thing, but I did still want to write and play original music, so I started to write and write and write and when I had some good songs I sent them to my mate Caolán [Austin] who produced everything and co-wrote and played loads of instruments on it.

"I sent him the songs. He liked them and I liked them, so we decided to start making records and see where we go with it. There’s no big plan or anything with it.”

I asked who the Heat actually is: “I don’t know if the Heat exist. The Heat are whoever I’m working with at the time. It just depends on the night. Whatever gig you go to, they could be completely different. In the studio, the Heat are different. The Heat are the Heat. Anyone can be in them.”

Next, we spoke about ‘Makes Me Feel Good’: “We were having trouble getting it out properly because streaming services are a nightmare. You get added to a queue and I didn’t submit the song soon enough to get it out on time, but it’s out on Bandcamp, it’s been on the radio, on BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing and Stephen McCauley. Basically, it’s a kind of therapeutic, cathartic, let loose kind of anthemic song.

"It’s not written from my perspective, but from the perspective of quite a nasty character who has absolutely no concern for other people at all and does whatever they want. Not me. A purely fictional character. Musically, it’s pretty inspired by MJ Lenderman, Ben Kweller, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins. There are synths, there’s strings, its chill, the guitars aren’t super heavy. It’s a lot more similar to the stuff that I listen to than my previous rock bands would’ve been.”

“We’ve got more songs in the works. We’re doing this in a really chill way. We’re always working on something. We’ve got another single out soon, plus two more ready to go later in the year or early next year. It’s all about having fun. There’s no strict release schedule or anything like that. I’m just enjoying writing music.”

READ MORE: MacD on Music

I asked about the difference between the Heat and Parker: “I think they’re both good in different ways. You need a lot more energy in a band. This is definitely a lot more relaxed. There’s good and bad to both. Being in a band, there’s a lot of big highs and really exciting stuff and you get really passionate about it but there’s also a lot of lows, whereas with this it’s fun, it’s chill. It’s just writing music and putting songs out and I might play the odd gig.”

To finish off, I asked him if there were any bands that stood out to him in these post-Parker times: “One of my favourite rock bands in the country is Muck Savage. I think they’re absolutely incredible. Everybody needs to check them out. Lord Jane are unreal. Obviously, all the bands like CHERYM and TRAMP that are doing really well. George Houston’s absolutely unreal. He’s definitely the best songwriter in the country at the minute. His band’s incredible.”

And that’s it from Dylan. His single ‘Makes Me Feel Good’ is out now on all good (or nightmarish) streaming services.

Now, onto other business. Derry’s Halloween is widely regarded as among the best in the world, and this year should be no exception as Bennigan’s hosts the fourth annual Not Really, where your favourite bands pretend to be their favourite bands. Presented by Dylan’s Three Mile Records, this year’s line-up features AC/DC, Biffy Clyro, Black Sabbath, Wings and CMAT, played by [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED] and the always incredible [REDACTED]. Tickets are £10 or £15 on the door. As usual, this one should sell out fast so make sure you get your tickets now on Eventbrite.

Also, this Friday (24th) will see the release of Belfast’s Sweet Neptune’s debut album ‘Tridents, Pints+Fegs+Horses’. The group, who have been described as “one of Ireland’s most distinctive new voices” blends “the grit of post-punk, the warmth of folk-rock, and the improvisational spirit of jazz, all wrapped in their trademark mischievous edge”.

Finally, time for the socials. Sweet Neptune can be found on Instagram @sweetneptuneband, Three Mile Records @threemilerecordz and Dylan Bradley @dylanbradleyheat.