Sisters of Mercy co-founder Gary Marx releases first new material in 15 years
Like many of the first punk generation, Sisters Of Mercy co-founder and guitarist Gary Marx was inspired and energised by the glam rock wave that stomped through the UK in pre-punk Britain. The Sweet, David Bowie, T Rex, Suzi Quatro, Slade; these unique artists propelled kids to pick up instruments and microphones and make their own glorious, stripped-down rock n’ roll racket!
“This is the sequinned prequel to the story I’ve been asked to tell a thousand times,” states Marx. “A Glam Jamboree is perhaps the best way to describe the album. ‘Green Ginger Jive is one long love letter to my youth growing up in Hull and East Yorkshire. It’s me dressing up and playing at being Mick Ronson. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had making a record, and I think it shows”’
The songs are all Marx originals, but he’s wearing his early influences with pride. If you ever raced home to see Suzi Quatro on Top Of The Pops, or scribbled Slade on your knuckles, step right up.
Marx dragged a bunch of friends, (including Wayne Hussey, Miles Hunt, and John Robb among others) kicking and screaming to help out and the songs leapt out, one after another, hook-laden and instantly memorable.
“I wanted to do something joyous, that wasn’t afraid of being silly…I wanted to be fourteen again - fifty years after the event, but who’s counting,” he laughs.
Gary Marx and Wayne Hussey recorded together for the first time since the Sisters of Mercy’s monumental debut album First And Last And Always in ‘85. Marx enlisted the help of engineer John Spence, who he hadn’t worked with since The Reptile House EP. He holed up in the same studio that Andrew Eldritch made the Sisterhood’s Gift album, (while plotting and planning the MK 2 Sisters.) The story should write itself from here…. another twilight zone masterpiece.
With the sense of playfulness and perversity that has run right through his solo career, Marx has thrown off the midnight black mantle, reached for his glad rags and produced a joyous, Glam inspired collection of songs - his first new material to be released in nearly fifteen years.
Hussey isn’t the only familiar name adding guest vocals to the tunes. The Wonderstuff’s Miles Hunt, John Robb, and Daniel Mass from Leeds hipsters Salvation are among those who feature. “I dragged my friends along for the ride – the vetting process was simple, if they could spell Slade, they were in.”
The album is due to be released October 4th on Wrecking Ball Sounds, a small independent label from Hull, located a stone’s throw away from The Land Of Green Ginger, (the street which gives the album its title.)
Much more than just a handful of upcycled riffs, Green Ginger Jive is Marx most personal and cohesive album to date.
Green Ginger Jive will be available as a 12-song vinyl LP with a limited edition 7” single free with the first 250 copies. It will also be available as an extended CD with bonus tracks.
Green Ginger Jive – track-listing
1. Second Hand Boogie
2. Stone Cold Solid Gone
3. Here Comes Seventeen
4. Sugarcane
5. Cordite Drive
6. 4G (All The Way From Munster)
7. De La Pole Avenue
8. Dressed Up, Messed Up Kid
9. Wicked Ways
10. Louder
11. Slingshot
12. Stardust #5
“Green Ginger Jive” is out on 4th October via Wrecking Ball Sounds, and can be pre-ordered HERE
