THE BLACK ARTS "Christmas Number One"

Madre mía ¡qué pandilla! ¡y como está el Luke Haines! Lo edita los amigos de Sergio, Fantastic Plastic (¡todavía existe el sello!)

 

THE BLACK ARTS Christmas Number One (2007 UK limited edition 2-track 7" single pressed on Festive Green Coloured Vinyl - A collaboration by Black Box Recorder & Art Brut, 'Christmas Number One' is a genuine ce lebration of Christmas with a song written by John Moore & Luke Haines, clearly influenced by Slade, Wizzard etc and there is only one person who could convey this message of good cheer, their dear pal Eddie Argos [Art Brut]; includes a exclusive b-side: 'Glam Casual' written & performed by Eddie Argos) –

 

 

We wrote it on the beach in August as the snow began to fall, A Christmas Number One could be a blessing for us all"

In an inspired meeting of minds, Black Box Recorder and Art Brut's Eddie Argos have joined forces to form The Black Arts, whose first (and perhaps only) release is set to be this year's essential Christmas single. Following in the tradition of such masters of the seasonal rocker as Wizzard and Slade, Christmas Number One once more unites sleigh bells, blazing guitars and children’s choirs for three and a half minutes of festive fun.

The song was conceived by Black Box Recorder's John Moore, who having endured an utterly appalling summer, decided that the year must end on a blissfully high note. In a rush of optimism, the idea of a Christmas Number One seemed entirely plausible. Much of the song spilled out of the ether late one Sunday evening, sounding somewhere between William Burroughs and Slade. Turned over to Luke Haines for inspection and dissection, a towering middle-section was added, and quite properly, respectful references to Britain’s former-first men of Christmas - Noddy and Roy were added. The fecund glacial goddess Sarah Nixey was alerted and asked not to give birth until her mellifluous vocal frosting could be added, then with a final sprinkling of vocal magic from Eddie Argos, the song reached pure pop perfection.

The relationship between Art Brut and Black Box Recorder began three years ago when John witnessed an hereoically pissed Art Brut playing a tiny gig in Reading, and then bonded with Eddie backstage over a dog-eared copy of Just William. The relationship then developed to the point where a musical collaboration became inevitable.

Christmas Number One will be available as a download from 3 December and as a rather fetching limited edition eco-sustainable Christmas tree green 7" from 10 December on 'Fantastic Plastic'.

According to Luke Haines: "When you're doing your last minute shopping at Woolworth's and you've heard 'Christmas Number One' for the eleventh time in a row, don't worry, it will all be over by January. The Black Arts are for Christmas, not for life'

Or are they? As Sarah Nixey reveals “ It was all over wasn’t it? I hadn’t the heart to tell them the truth.”

Merry Christmas!