The Scaramanga Six DEARTH Album Review
The Scaramanga Six Return with DEARTH
When I was asked by Paul of Scaramanga Six if I’d like to review the band’s upcoming new album DEARTH I jumped at the chance! Based in Huddersfield they’re a band that’s very local to me – I’ve also seen Paul playing his solo material – “crooning electro dark dance shows” – at The Parish. Their flamboyant and theatrical songs, along with their aggressive live act, have made them a significant band on the Leeds rock scene.
A History of DIY Success
Since their formation in 1995 (as a 6-piece), the now 4-piece The Scaramanga Six are entirely self-managed and self-releasing via their own WRATH RECORDS label; their independent business practices and active promotion of other artists has seen them hailed as “the closest we’ll see to a British answer to Fugazi.”
The Band’s Unique Sound
“We operate in landscape, not portrait. Our sound can be very widescreen. Each song is like a short film” states singer/guitarist Paul Morricone. With influences ranging from Tony Bennett & Scott Walker to The Stranglers & Cardiacs, their style has been described as cinematic punk. The Scaramanga Six make loud, adventurous alternative pop music — angular but melodic and often both at the same time.
Meet the Line-Up
The group is led by brothers Paul and Steven Morricone. Steve chooses the bass as his instrument of torture, creating a sound somewhere between JJ Burnel and Stephen Hanley. Paul wields the guitar and they both take turns on the lead vocals – ranging from a croon to a screech. Julia Arnez adds an icy layer of guitar and voice, and the current line-up is completed by insistent drummer Gareth Champion.
Six DEARTH – Track-by-Track Review
- ‘Last Phonebox In The Street’: Starts with a Cure-esque “Plainsong” chimes intro, maintaining an 80s post-punk feel. Ends with a sound reminiscent of Cardiacs.
- ‘Waiting For The Rabbit’: Carries distinct Electric Six vibes.
- ‘Pipecleaner Man’: The opening and backing vocals sound not unlike David Bowie’s “Absolute Beginners.”
- ‘Our Little Secret’: Features a musical nod to The Stranglers.
- ‘Another Song’: A definite crowd-pleaser; you can easily imagine people bouncing along to this track.
- ‘Mind Control’: Follows directly from the energetic previous track.
- ‘Oonie Smoonie’: Temporarily brings the tempo down with a lovely piano intro before hitting harder with a strong Cardiacs feel, clearly showing their influence.
- ‘Vomit Clock’: One of my personal favourites. Features a very early-Stranglers intro with great keys and guitar work.
- ‘I Enjoy Sitting In My Car At Night When It’s Raining’: Another favourite, possessing a wonderful prog feel.
- ‘Grounded’: Leans towards a more straightforward punk feel.
- ‘The Sorting’: Swings between punk and prog. The vocal style immediately brings to mind Hugh Cornwall on “Enough Time.”
- ‘Sleep Like The Tollund Man’: A spoken-word track that feels mesmerising, starting to bring the listener down from the heavier tracks earlier in the album.
- ‘Just Like Regular Chickens’: A soaring end to the album.
Ferocious Live Performances
Live, the band play pretty much like their lives depend on it. As a four-piece, The Scaramanga Six present an angular slab of guitars with a rhythm section of fury. Paul’s ‘orchestra in a box’ gets plugged in and then whistles and bells are added to the overall melee. Ferocious and anthemic in equal measure, you are met with a barrage of harmonics from the front three who have been singing together since they were in the school choir. And if you’re lucky, they may take pity on you and allow you to sing along.
An Impressive Back Catalogue
Over the years, The Scaramanga Six have amassed an impressive back catalogue of 10 studio albums, notably working with Cardiacs’ maestro Tim Smith (Cabin Fever, 2004 and The Dance of Death, 2007), Steve Albini at Chicago Audio (Phantom Head, 2013), and more recently a slew of records with Sheffield legend Alan Smyth (Cursed, 2011, The Terrifying Dream, 2015, Chronica, 2017 and Worthless Music, 2021).
Influences and Origins
For twin brothers Steven and Paul, life as primary school kids was a little different to many others. The home would be strewn with punk, new wave, dub and early electro records of their older brothers. They didn’t understand why the other 8-year-olds at school didn’t know Shot By Both Sides by Magazine. This left an indelible mark, and the punk ethos of having a go remains. Through an early love of Madness, both Paul and Steve took up saxophone at school, trained classically, then ditched the sheet music for an array of self-taught instruments in a band together to this very day.
2025: A Landmark Year
In 2025, their 30th year, The Six will be releasing not one but two studio albums recorded with Dave Draper. The first was GLUT in April, then DEARTH this coming November.
The Scaramanga Six DEARTH Album Review @RockNews
