Mogwai, Andy Bell, Hookworms, and more "kill" tracks from Spectres' Dying

14 January 2016, 16:36 | Written by Ben Curtis

(News)

(Spectres)

Bristol's Spectres have exhumed their debut album Dying, and handed it over to a number of artists; including Factory Floor, Hookworms and Mogwai, with the instructions: "kill our songs".

The result is a Frankenstein's monster-like mash-up of thirteen songs, under the joyful title Dead. The album ranges from vicious techno (Blood Music's "This Purgatory") to the euphoric, with Ride's Andy Bell introducing a playful, almost tropical, feel to the fantastic "Sea Of Trees". The album's climax comes courtesy of Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, who bundles "This Purgatory" into the boot of his car; wrapped in a blanket of majestic synth.

Joe Hatt, from the band, explained the reasoning behind Dead:

"We see Spectres as something that can work in a variety of contexts. Our musical interests spread out in different angles and we are always thinking of ways for what we do to evolve and mutate. We put together a list of artists who we admired, and thought would deliver a varied and eclectic mix. Some were close friends who are conveniently making some of the best music around, and others were pipe dreams that we thought would never happen."

The band enjoyed a memorable 2015 following the release of their debut album. Kicking off with a 'Record Store Day is Dying' campaign which saw national media coverage, they also murdered some Radio 1 DJ's (for a music video anyway), released an unofficial Bond theme which was mistakenly reviewed in the Evening Standard, and stepped into Bjork's shoes when she pulled out of La Route Du Rock festival.

Spectres play at the Arnolfini, Bristol on Saturday (16 January) and at Moles, Bath (28 January).

Dead is released on 25 March through Sonic Cathedral.

Listen to Stuart Braithwaite's version of "This Purgatory" below, and check out the LP's tracklist after.

Tracklist:

1. Drag (Vision Fortune)
2. Where Flies Sleep (Jah Hatt Fears Spectres)
3. The Sky Of All Places (Hookworms)
4. Family (Oliver Wilde)
5. This Purgatory (Blood Music)
6. Mirror (Giant Swan)
7. Blood In The Cups (Dominic Mitchison)
8. Sink (Factory Floor)
9. Lump (Gramrcy)
10. Sea Of Trees (Richard Fearless)
11. Mirror (Robert Hampson)
12. Sea Of Trees (Andy Bell)
13. This Purgatory (Stuart Braithwaite – Mogwai)