Emerging Leeds, UK outfit YARD ACT have today shared their new track “Peanuts” – out via their own Zen F.C. label. “Peanuts” welcomes new guitarist Sam Shjipstone to the fold, whose work brings a more progressive slant to the sound of Yard Act: more angular and more melodic in equal measure. Shjipstoneโs grandad Ronnie Ronalde (otherwise known as โThe Worldโs Most Famous Whistlerโ) is sampled underneath the second half of “Peanuts” with his touching rendition of “In A Monastery Garden” from 1917. Continuing Yard Actโs use of outlandish characters in their lyricism, “Peanuts” sees the turn of an imaginary husband murdered via a peanut allergy by his wife; the steadfast guitar lines and jutting rhythms propelling frontman James Smithโs striking social observations.
Formed in 2019, Yard Act began life when friends Smith (Vocals) and Ryan Needham (Bass) started creating minimalist rock tracks using a primitive drum machine and borrowed bass guitar. Later drafting in original guitarist Sammy Robinson and George Townend on drums, whom they met at their spiritual home The Brudenell Social Club, the band clicked instantly and played their first show within a month.
In his own words, Smith says: โWhile “Peanuts” is quite clearly about a woman killing her imaginary husband, itโs also about accepting that we donโt all see the world in the same way. It feels to me that divisions are getting more extreme. Weโre continually squeezing what should be a wide ranging spectrum of opinions and beliefs into two immovable castles towering either side of an unelected, unaccountable line in the sand. Weโre all so scared about getting something wrong that we share mantras in the form of failsafe memes rather than asking ourselves, and each other, the hard questions. Weโre so certain weโre right that we canโt comprehend why someone else could see the world differently to the way we do.โ
โIโm as disappointed in those who chortle โgammonโ as I am those who cry โsnowflakeโ because itโs just doing the same thing but filtered through a different version of reality. I think the only way weโre going to get through this is by communicating and empathizing with each other, so even though people might have been brainwashed into believing utter bollocks itโs important to accept that their emotions are real. Thatโs why โPeanutsโ ends with the friend in the kitchen coming on board with the story and aiding and abetting in the imaginary murder. By empathizing with her friend and validating her emotions, she can help her begin to move on from the bonkers version of reality thatโs built up around her. We’ve all got tunnel vision, and we’re all cowering in the burrows of our own stubborn minds.โ
Yard Actโs previous singles “The Trapperโs Pelts” and “Fixer Upper” have proved an instant hit with UK national newspapers, the likes of The Times, The Independent, and The Guardian, alongside the music press, including: BrooklynVegan, Loud & Quiet, CLASH, NME, DIY, So Young, The Line Of Best Fit, Dork, Upset, and Gigwise. The tracks received repeated airplay in the UK from the likes of Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1โs Huw Stephens and Matt Wilkinson at Apple Music. The band found themselves the cover stars of Spotifyโs Hot New Bands and The Punk List (โDo NOT question our punk credentials,โ adds Smith) and “The Trapperโs Pelts” / “Fixer Upper” 7โ sold-out its vinyl pressing on the day of release, landing at number 3 in the Vinyl Singles chart.
โOne To Watch…There’s acuity, pathos and wit, deadpan storytelling over catchy, snaking riffs and relentless groovesโ The Guardian
โThe Fall with a bit of Happy Mondays shuffle in there as well.โ BrooklynVegan
โa satirical take on neoliberalism driven by James Smithโs menacing vocals and fuzzy bassline, most notable for its killer one-linersโ NME
โNick Cave and John Cooper Clarke wouldโve been proud to have written thisโ The Line Of Best Fit
โan immediate and blistering punchy numberโ DIY
โYard Act have cemented themselves as one of the most exciting bands on this Green earthโ So Young
โA whip smart take on current affairs and a bulging back pocket of infectious yet unpredictable bangers that satisfy both brain and feetโ Loud and Quiet
โunnerving slice of post-punkโ Dork
โWith a strong live reputation preceding them, they’re surefire ones to watchโ Gigwise
โVivid, witty lyricism from the Leeds post-punksโ The Times
โA rabidly entertaining piece of acerbic post-punkโ Clash
