- Words Notion Staff
Working Men's Club pick 10Trax that inspired their forthcoming self-titled debut album.
Despite only bursting into the public realm a year ago, Working Men’s Club have already been on quite the journey.
Hailing from the North West of England, three young musicians, fresh out of music college, banded together to form the first iteration of Working Men’s Club. Fronted by Syd Minsky-Sargeant, guitarist Giulia Bonometti and drummer Jake Bogacki, the trio were making great pace out the gate, signing to Heavenly Recordings and releasing the twangy guitar-led debut single “Bad Blood”. Half a year later, the band were already pivoting their sound to lean into a more techno-influenced sphere.
However, a few days before their highly-anticipated London headline show, Working Men’s Club hit the rocks. Giulia wanted to focus on her blossoming solo career, and Jake was against the new electronic direction Syd saw them taking. “I guess WMC started off as a bit more guitar-based, tryna copy stuff in our own way, like the Velvets and stuff like that, but I didn’t want it to be that anymore. It became dancier and dancier as I tried to experiment”, Syd said.
Not giving up, Syd quickly assembled a lineup consisting of himself, Liam Ogburn, Mairead O’Connor and Rob Graham. Working Men’s Club took on a harder edge, with sweaty gigs, pulsating beats, and raw energy. This year, the band have gone on to release the singles “White Rooms and People”, “A.A.A.A.”, “Valleys” and the EP ‘Zip Zap Zoom’. Now, they’re set to release an eponymous full-length record.
Here, lead vocalist Syd picks the 10 songs that inspired the band’s debut album, and they’re just as eclectic as you’d think.
"Better Change your Mind" by William Onyeabor
"What a mental guy Onyeabor was. Factory owner turned Afro Beat Synth funk godfather turned preacher. His records define everything that is beautiful about upbeat soulful dance music."
"Jupiter Jazz" by Galaxy 2 Galaxy
"Just a right fucking tune. Some of the best synth stabs ever. Reyt Tune!!"
"I am the Black Gold of the Sun" by Nuyorican Soul, Jocelyn Brown
"I remember my Dad and Stepdad introducing me to this track at around about the same time and it just stuck with me. The melodies are next to none, purely joyous."
"Obaa Sima" by Ata Kak
"It always seems to be a proper make or break when I put this tune on around people that haven’t heard it ahaha which I love, it’s such a divisive tune considering how funny and harmless it is. I strive to be able to rap half as well as Ata Kak some day."
"Jim Cain" by Bill Callahan
"I was in London with the Heavenly crew about a year ago and ended up going to see Bill Callahan after buying a ticket off a tout, completely clueless as to who he was. More than pleasantly surprised I sat on the floor next to Daisy for 2 hours and became entranced by how someone could craft songs like Callahan does, watching him perform was like watching a sword maker at work, a man who has clearly spent his life carefully mastering his art. This song is bliss."
"Who Do You Love" by The Sapphires
"A song you can listen to if you're having a shit day, having a good day or just having a day. Flawlessly gorgeous in every way."
"What’s Going On" by Marvin Gaye
"Not many people manage to channel the feeling of returning from a War as brutal as Vietnam to racism, injustice and hatred through song, this record is lyrically and melodically phenomenal, a classic record that everyone should listen to at least once in their life".
"Alech Taadi" by Khaled
"Anyone that’s watched The Fifth Element will probably know this song, that’s where I know it from anyway. It’s a worth a listen just for the first four bars of drums and shits all over any song DJ Khaled has ever released."
"Jomsong" by Supafix
"A hidden Steel City classic this one. Pure Sheffield, pure ecstasy, reyyyyyyyt good."
"Goodbye Goebbels" by Fat White Family
"In my opinion, a modern classic."