Northants rockers The Big Dirty get ready to unleash debut album

More than two years in the making, Northampton 80s rockers The Big Dirty are set to release their debut album in July.
The Big Dirty are due to release their debut album in July. Photo by Ben Gregory-Ring.The Big Dirty are due to release their debut album in July. Photo by Ben Gregory-Ring.
The Big Dirty are due to release their debut album in July. Photo by Ben Gregory-Ring.

Like any musicians gearing up for the release of their debut LP, this isn’t quite the scenario The Big Dirty envisioned.

The band’s latest single Whiskey Pistol is due out this month with the album The Sex due to follow in July.

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Despite the world being on lockdown due to Covid-19, the Northampton rockers are planning on pushing forward with the record which has been two years in the making.

“It’s an incredibly weird time,” explains singer James Shaw – AKA Jonny Rocket. “Everything has been cancelled.

“While there’s lots of cool stuff going online, there’s more important things than music.

“However, it’s a massive shame. Either way, we’re going to make it work.

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“The album is so good and we can’t wait for people to listen to it.”

A familiar name on the rock circuit in the county, The Big Dirty live up to every over-the-top expectation and preconception you might have about them.

“We really inspired by the 80s and 70s, glam metal and glam rock, explains Shaw.

“We're very excessive on makeup, clothes and massive guitar solos.

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“We love to interact with the crowd and we really have fun doing what we do on stage.

“We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we take our craft very seriously.

“At the end of one of our gigs no matter what, you’re going to remember it. Whether you love it hate it, you’re never going to forget it.”

Shaw is joined in the band by bassist and backing singer JC, lead guitarist C-Diddy and drummer T-Dog.

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They released their debut EP in 2018 and their album is due for release on July 17.

The 13-track LP was recorded and produced by the band’s guitarist in his own studio.

“We released the EP Sex Rock City in 2018, it was a great EP and we still get a lot of good feedback from it.

“But this album, the songs, the production values – it just sounds huge, so much bigger and fresher.

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“You're always going to be slightly biased to your own material, it's natural to be proud of your stuff, but I really think it's going to entertain people and make people happy.

“We’ve listened to what a lot of people have said and tried to keep it us, tried not to put too much vulgarity in there but it's typical Big Dirty stuff.”

With a couple of tracks form the album already featuring their live set, Shaw explains his favourites on the record include Lightweight Champion and Sensual Lover.

The band have also re-recorded and re-worked their best-known song, Rhythm of My Drum.

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“It’s a bit different and sounds a lot bigger,” explains Shaw.

“Hopefully we won't have to do it again because we recorded that song about six times.

“We’ve been playing Whiskey Pistol in our last few shows and it's gone down really well.

“During the song I bring out a water pistol filled with whiskey and squirt it into the crowd and it always goes down well.”

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In recent years, many artists have shifted towards regular releases of singes and EPs, to constantly drip-feed fans new content.

While the album in its traditional sense is still alive and well, for many bands seeking to build an audience and establish their name, it’s frequently a less of a priority.

Despite this, The Big Dirty were adamant from early on that they wanted to work towards an LP.

Shaw said: “Some people find singles get a lot more traction and that’s fine.

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“Writing an album is a long process and I still think it’s really cool to do a proper album and I think it sets a precedent for you as a band.

“We know whatever we do next, we've got to top it and it’s a milestone.

“Maybe, when you look at a band, you’re more likely to remember a classic album than something like an EP and that's what I want.

“There’s risks to it, but in this this business, there’s risks in everything you do.”

For more information about The Big Dirty, visit https://www.facebook.com/bigdirtyrock