Originating from Leeds, UK, in the early ’80s, the seminal post-punk band Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, have recently inked a record deal with COP International. This partnership paves the way for the much-anticipated unveiling of what’s being heralded as the final Lorries album, Strange Kind of Paradise. Additionally, the signing includes the release of subsequent EPs featuring singles, b-sides, and remixes, enriching the band’s final chapter in their storied career as one of the best post-punk bands of all time.
In the early ’80s, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, known to their fans as ‘the Lorries’, emerged as a pivotal force in the international music scene. With a series of influential singles and EPs leading to notable albums such as “Talk About the Weather” (1985), “Paint Your Wagon” (1986), “Nothing Wrong” (1988), and “Blow” (1989), the band consistently climbed the ranks of the NME’s UK independent charts. Their extensive tours across the UK, Europe, and North America marked their peak in creativity and influence.
The Lorries crafted a distinctive sound characterized by Chris Reed’s deep, growling vocals and the harmonic interplay of propulsive and angular guitar riffs from Reed and David ‘Wolfie’ Wolfenden. Their music combined these elements with heavy bass lines, the occasional Spaghetti Western flair, and a fusion of live, forceful percussion with stark, mechanized drum beats.
While drawing comparisons to Joy Division, Killing Joke, and other post-punk icons, including Leeds-based “drum-machine bands” like The Sisters of Mercy, the Lorries cited a wide range of influences. They pointed to inspirations from the proto-punk energy of MC5 to the post-punk innovation of Wire, and even the industrial tones of artists like Australia’s J.G. Thirlwell (Foetus). Despite their association with the goth rock movement, the Lorries viewed their music as a unique blend shaped by the diverse influences of the punk era and beyond.
Chris Reed has reportedly stepped back from public life indefinitely, leaving the band essentially inactive. Despite this, Chris and the band still have unfinished business, with their anticipated sixth and likely final album on the horizon. The responsibility of realizing the release of the final Lorries album, Strange Kind of Paradise, now rests with Dave ‘Wolfie’ Wolfenden, the band’s longstanding guitarist and Reed’s key collaborator in songwriting. Joining him in this endeavor is the band’s bassist and the new album’s producer, Simon ‘Ding’ Archer, who brings a wealth of experience from his extensive tenure and production work with The Fall, among others.
Finally, the band announced a deal with the COP International label in March 2024, ensuring that Strange Kind of Paradise will soon see its release.
“As the founder of COP International, I am thrilled beyond measure to announce the signing of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry to our label. This is more than just a professional endeavor for me; it’s a deeply personal milestone. Red Lorry Yellow Lorry’s music served as the soundtrack to my formative years and inspiring my own musical journey. The chance to contribute to the legacy of a band that has influenced me so profoundly is an honor I can scarcely put into words. To all the fans who have been touched by Red Lorry Yellow Lorry’s music, I extend my deepest gratitude for joining us on this exhilarating adventure”, says Christian Petke, COP International.
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry adds: “The Lorries pulled in at the truckstop of COP International with the screech of their guitars, and the rumble of the drums to deliver the sixth studio album, “Strange Kind of Paradise”. So let the speakers crackle and burn…”
Wolfie, who is currently a member of The Rose of Avalanche, Voidant, and Vig Vam Bam (and previously of The Mission, Expelaires, and others), spoke to Post-punk.com about the Lorries’ recent signing with COP International; the prospect of releasing the band’s final album; the importance of Ding’s role in making it possible; and some favourite memories and hopes for the new album going forward.
The band has been burned in the past by label deals, ultimately losing control over most of your recorded work. How are you feeling about signing to a new label, COP International?
They seem to embody the original spirit of the post-punk movement, but in a more contemporary way, taking into account that the music has moved on. But I think they’ve taken on the kind of innovation that was so important about the original post-punk movement. It’s a very compatible label, and we look forward to working with our fellow “brothers on the same beat”, like Cassandra Complex and John Fryer.
John Fryer has made some of my favourite records of all time, and they really were at the bleeding edge of post-punk music. I think for myself, and for most people my age, we’ve talked about this quite a lot, and we all seem to come to the same conclusion, that the Factory back catalogue, and the 4AD catalogue, is just an example of how to run a record company properly; and how to just maintain a really high standard of releases, and artwork, and themes that just run through the whole body of work.
And I see a lot of that reflected now in what (label head) Christian Petke and John Fryer, and their designer Greg Rolfes, are doing with COP International. They seem to be a very forward-thinking and innovative label, but one that does understand where the ethos of the post-punk movement started, and who embrace the original idea that made the movement so exciting.
I’m immensely proud, and feel that this Lorries album, which means so much to everyone that’s worked so hard on it, has found the right home. That’s what I feel: it’s found the right home, and will be treated with the kind of respect and appreciation that it deserves. It feels like it’s landed on the right doorstep.
What are your feelings about the likelihood of Strange Kind of Paradise being the final ever Lorries album?
It’s a good question. It feels like there was some unfinished business, y’know, namely in that the album was started, but it was never finished. So, I think we’re at a point now where everyone is happy with it; we’re delighted with the results. And I think if it is a final full-stop for the band functioning as a live unit, then I think it’s quite a good sentence to end on. I think it’s some’t that we’re really, really proud of. And it’s always good to tie up unfinished business.
There is no manual for doing this “winding things up” process, ever, for any band. I know that. But I think everyone has put everything into this, particularly Ding. And it’s a record we can all feel proud of, and it deserves to be part of the Lorries’ body of work.
What can you tell us about Ding’s role on the album?
Well, it’s massive, Ding’s contribution. It cannot be overstated. Without Ding, it wouldn’t have happened, and that’s got to be recognised, y’know, through his kindness, generosity, and a love for the band, which goes back a long time. Ding was a fan of the band; he said to Chris that one of the reasons he picked up the bass was because of the Lorries, which is quite a compliment, ‘cos Chris is a shit bass player! (Wolfie laughs). But he writes good songs.
So, it can’t be overstated. I think that someone who can make so many albums with Mark E. Smith tells you a lot about his dedication and patience! (More laughter). But it is in his bones. It’s in his blood. He’s driven to do this; he doesn’t have a choice. It’s what he does. And I totally respect that. He’s one of my favourite human beings, an incredibly positive person. He is a life force.
Looking back on the band’s history and legacy, what are your thoughts?
It’s definitely improved all our lives, doing it. There are things that I’ll remember forever, that I never ever thought would’ve been possible, like going on tour with Killing Joke, who were my favourite band for years and years, and holding our own live against Killing Joke. And thinking, well yeah, we’re good enough to stand on stage and support Killing Joke, and have them take it seriously. It says a lot, really. And we thought, we fully deserve to be here, y’know. In our minds, we were just as good.
What are you most looking forward to about releasing the new album?
I hope that it’ll be received in the spirit that it was created, which was a positive one. It’s a band that’s always paid a lot of attention to detail in terms of writing songs and structuring the songs, and creating a kind of sonic landscape, with the guitars that complement the lyrics. I think that hopefully, the longer you do something, the better you get at it. And I think that’s where we were on that journey: we’ve all grown as individuals, and grown and developed as a group. And I’m proud of where we were, at that time.
Stay tuned for more from The Lorries and their final album, Strange Kind of Paradise. For more info, visit COP International.
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