The Sawney Bean Band was formed in 2007 as the result of a meeting between veteran drummer Rick and former MPS bassist Toby, both of whom had stopped playing music due to disillusionment with the music business. After one rehearsal the decision to come out of retirement was swiftly taken and work commenced on developing material. These early sessions saw the recording of rough demos of two tracks recorded with the most rudimentary of equipment, which attracted significant attention via the band's MySpace page.

In 2008 they decided to embark on the recording of a debut EP, hoping to complete the band line-up as recording commenced. As recording progressed the decision was taken to complete vocal duties themselves, with Toby filling in on guitar until a suitable guitarist emerged. The recordings were to follow a simple blueprint: The drums and bass were to be recorded live, and there were only to be single tracks of guitar and vocals at all times in order to capture the sound of a live band without a major studio treatment. As Rick says "If people see you live they don't want you failing to live up to your CD." 

The result is the remarkably powerful "Magdalene's Laundry" EP, the title track of which confronts the appalling mistreatment of many young Irish women in the care of the Catholic Church in very recent history. Not inclined to shy away from strong subject matter the band have issued the following statement - "The song was never intended to be an attack on anybody's faith. It's simply highlighting a disgusting and shameful series of atrocities which no-one has ever been held to account for. Some of those poor women are still alive and suffering and it's a disgrace that their plight has been just swept under the carpet"

From the sublime instrumental "Electric Soup" to the surprisingly tender closing ballad "Happy Ever After" the EP showcases a pedigree rhythm section playing with the finesse of experience coupled with the energy of an angry teenage rock band. The band's fondness for massive instrument tones combines with their insistence on melodic music to provide that distinctive British rock sound you've been missing for so long.

Enjoy.

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