Best of Friends

Album: 180 (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Palma Violets are a back-to-basics indie rock quartet from South London comprising vocalist and guitarist Sam Fryer, bassist Chilli Jesson, keyboardist Pete Mayhew and drummer Will Doyle. A series of frantic gigs in their locality generated much hype amongst certain sections of the music press and they were soon snapped up by the Rough Trade label. This is their debut single, which was released on October 22, 2012. Jesson admitted to NME: "We didn't even want it to be the first single because it was so under rehearsed, but Rough Trade liked the fact anything could go wrong at any point."
  • This was named #1 in NME's Best Tracks of 2012. Jesson said to the magazine in response to hearing the news: "It's such a rough, raw song. We wrote it one day and recorded it the next, so it was all pretty quick. That song is at its freshest point. Every note we're hitting, like, no one really knows what they're playing. It's tongue-in-cheek. We're making s--t up as we go along and I think that's maybe why people like it."
  • Jesson told The Sun about this song: "It's like 'Walk On By' or 'Just My Imagination' by The Temptations to me. It's concerned with growing up and not getting what you want."

    Sam Fryer added: "As soon as we start it, I feel it welling up inside. People say it sounds like The Clash, but to me it's like The Troggs – dirty, mean rock 'n' roll. It's more sixties than anything we've done."
  • The 180 album cover is a photo taken by Rough Trade co-owner Jeannette Lee. She told NME: "The cover of The Who's Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy has kids sitting on some steps outside a rundown house. They looked like a gang out to cause trouble, which seemed like a spot-on idea to me."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?