Words by Lady Godiva

The wild Wild West, a spring that never runs dry in the collective imagination, has fascinated many for well over a century and inspired iconic layers of popular culture, from music and film, to fashion. The U.K. has its own kind of cowboys and the sassy and aptly named Trip Westerns don’t need a gun to blow your mind. A Brighton outfit, although their sounds conjure up mental pictures far away from the shores of Sussex.

Their debut EP is a statement in style, with eye-catching artwork incorporating nearly phosphorescent cowboy boots in a sun-scorching ambiance, while the five members each have their own mugshot in coloured backgrounds on the side. Ironically, the font reads Rip Westerns at first glance but they are definitely hellbent on keeping the genre alive. 

Their rich mix of influences is a weapon of choice, ranging from Ennio Morricone’s roots of Spaghetti Western to bits and pieces from Tarantino soundtracks and current outfits like Allah-Las or The Growlers, amongst others.

This melting pot is carefully put together and may catch you off guard with lush and unorthodox song structures, as with the opener “Blame Charlie” which encapsulates a mood-changing surf sequence. Every piece fits right into their sound mosaic with texture components that evoke all kinds of picturesque images and fit every mood, from the calm before the storm to more subtle,  introspective and ominous ones in their narrative.

 A full plot unfolds for your listening pleasure, from making enemies and holding grudges, to preaching to the outlaw choir with “Dead of Night”, to the magnificent existential anthem “Howl”, a tune so majestic it sounds like an instant classic and gives pride of place to the singer’s stately vocal range: some proper crooning with a deep, masculine and yet elegant pitch. In a day and age when crooners are few and far between, this is endearing and delightful. Lastly, “Switchblade Boogie” crams the crazy rhythms that bring to mind a momentous chase in the desert and a killing spree before the band ends on a pinnacle with “Wicked Knife”, a shaman’s tale of crime.  

These Sussex bandits have their finger on the pulse (rather than on their widow-maker) and reconcile the old with the new with their authentic canvas, lush instrumentation and distinguished vocals. Stay tuned for more spirited and dusty adventures. Yeehaw!

Trip Westerns S/T EP was released 15/9/23 via Bandcamp