It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Ginger Wildheart and all his various personas and projects. From the first time I saw The Wildhearts in a shitty bar in Camden, I was slightly confused as to just HOW anyone could write music like that? Time signatures that seemed to be random and non-sensical… and yet they made perfect sense. Chords and riffs that came out of left field, unexpectedly… and yet fit the song like a glove. Harmonies everywhere, big chunky guitar tones and choruses… oh my God, choruses for days. Huge slabs of poptastic wonder, but with caustic, abrasive lyrics that made everyone sing along in a unified, metaphorical “middle finger in the air” kinda way. I know I sound like a music journalist right now, but quite simply, along with the Sex Pistols and David Bowie, The Wildhearts completed my unholy trilogy of life-changing musical experiences. So when, in 2009, Ginger called me and asked if I wanted to play a few shows in Los Angeles with a set list comprised of all Wildhearts songs….hahaha!!….does the Pope shit in the woods? Yeah, it was awesome. But while we were doing those shows, we squeezed in two days at a recording studio, with producer Mike Clink at the helm. And I got to experience Ginger as a songwriter – the guy is a fucking machine, with riffs and lyrics flying out all over the place! The first thing he said when we sat down to write this song together is…” I think we should write a song that’s just pretty much all chorus. Let’s have a chorus, and then it goes to a different section that’s also a chorus, and then we do it again with another section”… OK Ging! Whatever you say!!! It was a great experience and one I hope to repeat at some point. The track was available on ‘The Haiti Project’ charity album that the wonderful Gav put together. But we decided this track should be out there and available to everyone – for free. So here it is again – The Mystery Song – enjoy. And I think it’s about time we did another Ginger And Friends in Los Angeles, so start hassling him, people!!
THE SONIC GRAFFITI – “MYSTERY SONG”
