Rolling Thunder release special edition of debut EP on limited edition vinyl

After originally launching their debut EP on CD and streaming services earlier this year, indie five piece Rolling Thunder have recently teamed up with Eight Limb Entertainment to release the record on vinyl.

The Nightshop: After Hours, was released at the end of last month and is available from independent record sellers across Northampton and online.

Guitarist Ryan Kelly said: “As a big vinyl fan, I was buzzing to get my hands on it, especially because it’s a tasty orange colour.”

“It felt pretty amazing to hold it for the first time and to know this was ours. It meant a lot to me,” adds singer Charlie Smith.

When the band released the record in April, originally titled The Nightshop, a vinyl release wasn’t initially on the cards.

However, Northampton based Eight Limb Entertainment got in touch with the band, keen to help.

This new orange 12” release features four of the songs on the original EP ('Novelty', 'Get In, Get Done, Get Out', 'Paul Hollywood' and 'Scenic Route'), adding 2019 single Ovation.

Guitarist Harry Clayton said: “The guys at Eight Limb were very keen for Ovation to feature on the vinyl version so it felt natural to alter the artwork and name ever so slightly to reflect the slightly different track listing.

“This is in essence the same EP but a limited-edition variation kind of thing.

“We’d recorded the songs before Eight Limb got in contact but they’ve been fantastic since getting involved helping us not only get the vinyl sorted and pressed but getting them promoted and distributed to record shops.

“Fingers crossed they sell alright and they might have us back to do another one.”

Six track EP The Nightshop was recorded with Jon Martin at Stalkers Studio in Northampton.

Ryan, Harry and Charlie are joined in Rolling Thunder by bassist Joel Sweet and drummer Josh Green.

Singer Charlie and lead guitarist Ryan originally talked about forming a band at school together, but admit they weren’t really taken seriously – admitting at that stage, they could neither sing or play proficiently.

It was while studying the history of the Vietnam War that they came across the name, Rolling Thunder.

During their initial period together, a number of members came and went with Charlie explaining, “I wouldn’t say we actually became a band until Joel, Harry and Josh joined and we started playing open mics in late 2018.”

Together, they are influenced by new-wave, 80s indie, 90s Britpop and classic guitar driven music.

“We try and be as original as possible but our sound definitely falls under the indie-rock genre,” adds Joel.

During lockdown, like many other bands, Rolling Thunder have been keeping in contact with fans with online sessions and have also been writing new material.

They recently played on the outdoor stage at The Black Prince in Northampton where they debuted the new track, Sunny’s Song.

“Lockdown has not been ideal and it’s easy to get frustrated but everyone’s in the same boat,” explains Josh.

“We’ve done alright and managed to keep busy. We’ve been back in the studio recently too

“The EP launch gig has now been moved back to December but to be honest it’s hard to see it going ahead that soon.”

“We’ve recorded four new tracks,” adds Ryan, “Some of them top secret but we’re planning on releasing them as a series of singles in the coming months. The first should be dropping this side of Christmas.”

The Nightshop: After Hours is available now from Spunout and Spiral Archive in Northampton, via Spinadisc Records online, Discogs and Rolling Thunder’s Facebook shop.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/RollingThunder999