Spraycan - EP 1 (inc. Richard Sen Remix)

Spraycan is the new project of Rich Thair and Nick Abnett.

The tracks laid down for their debut EP are the product of improvisation and instinct. The EP explores the unique, human relationship of a Drummer (Rich) and a Bassist (Nick) that have been fused together for 30 years since Andrew Weatherall put together his live band of
misfits - The Sabres Of Paradise.

Their vision is simple. No plan. Jump in. First take. Move on. That is Spraycan. "I don’t think I’ve ever sat in the studio and thought... ’I’m going to make a tune like…"

From the minute Rich Thair wakes up, he has drums, patterns, melodies and sequences going around his head. His Buntys studio is the place that the ideas are then formed into tangible songs with the use of the right instruments. In this case: the drum machine on his 80s Italian ‘Orla’ organ, Bongos played for amphetamine-fuelled GoGo dancers, live drums played with space for the live dubs.

The working process of 'Italiano' and 'RahRahRah' is simple for the duo. Nick sees the bass as a tool that just does a job. He likes to keep it utilitarian. “Bass as bass. No frills, no fuss.”
The bass then goes into a multi effects unit. Bass as guitar? Job done. The next logical step: plug an SM57 microphone into the effects unit. Now sing… "it makes you want to".
This project is the first time that Nick has stepped up to the microphone. He turns a spark into a story. Improvising vocals based on a lyrical sketch no larger than a Rizla paper.
Say what you see. Sing what you feel. Instinct over accuracy.
“I was in the studio singing to a dog and shouting at an organ. Buntys does that to a man”.

Rich Thair is the founder and drummer of Red Snapper, Number and Dicky Continental. His influences come from losing himself in Global sounds since 1978 and sharing them with like minded people. Such influences imprint themselves onto this EP, with nods to Sly and Robbie, Wimbish and Mcdonald, On-U Sound, A Certain Ratio, J Saul Kane, PiL, Sabres.

By day, Nick Abnett manages the Music and Video Exchange record shop in Notting Hill, London. By night, he plays bass for the likes of old school British punk rock group Peter & The Test Tube Babies and Andrew Weatherall's techno legends The Sabres Of Paradise. He explains that these “sessions have been wonderful spells of creativity…the ideas flowing as naturally as the laughs…I don’t think I've ever been so confident to just be myself in a recording studio. It feels like I’m throwing the disemboweled contents of my soul at a blank canvas. Nice bit of therapy, that.”
Dr. Thair will see you now Mr. Abnett.

Spraycan’s first tracks are accompanied by two fantastic remixes from Richard Sen. Sen’s relationship with the duo goes way back to their first meeting at the Sabres’ Soho office circa 1994. Both Rich and Nick hold huge admiration for Richard Sen’s work as a DJ, producer (also Padded Cell, Bronx Dogs) and graphic artist.

When Richard Sen heard the tracks, he immediately asked if he could remix 'Italiano'. “I'd never heard Nick's vocals before and they had an edgy, post punk vibe about them. Because of the fast tempo, I thought an electro remix might work and be something different to the original track. I chopped up the beats from Kraftwerk's 'Tour De France' and tried to emulate a Kraftwerk style synth riff whilst also having a lot of fun with the effects on the vocal. The finished result sounds like Kraftwerk meets Throbbing Gristle.”

Spraycan - 'EP1' will be available as a limited edition 12" (250 copies) and digitally via Golden Lion Sounds. Pre-order 12" - https://www.goldenlionsounds.com/product/spraycan-ep1-gls024

Spraycan are working on their first album and are ready to play live.