‘Into The Night (Part One)' by Voyeahs
Review
Fans of one of Coventry & Warwickshire's most beloved bands The Ripps have longed for Patch Lagunas to return with a new band for years. Now their wishes have been granted as he's back with Voyeahs in the company of late-era Ripps drummer Phillip Cox (aka "Cocky"), former Shakes & Shivers bassist Andy Hoey and lead guitarist Matt Sharkey with whom Patch worked in The Andalés and Dusty Buttons.
Even better, they have their debut album ‘Into The Night (Part One)' ready to go ( the digital launch is on November 15th and with a launch event The Tin on 22nd November with Modern Literature & Fun Sponge): with Part Two scheduled for 2025.
This seemed unusual to me (and possibly will to you) though doing things in a distinctive manner is to be applauded. The reasoning starts with Patch's long time ambition to record a double album (which will be fulfilled when the second half comes out) tempered with the realities of recording and the desire not to reduce quality by rushing. Therefore they've split the material into two groups: the first ( "Intro", "Regular Normal Life", "Drive", "Peeking Through The Blinds", "Non Essential Workers", "Obedient", "End of Me", "1716", "Termination", "Reality of Life", "The Madness" and "Not the Only Ones") "is more punk, aggressive sounding. Part 2 is noticeably poppier with a distinctive synth aspect to it".
I'd certainly agree with his description of these first songs: for Ripps fans, the harder, rawer edge will come as a surprise, though Patch has lost none of his capacity for writing catchy songs: to my ear most if not all of these could be a plausible single.
I asked him about this turn towards the more punk orientated & how he thought his existing fans might react. "I think people that don't know me personally might be a bit surprised with the lyrical content. It's definitely more aggressive than my other work but I think the material is still based around strong songs so if someone rated any of my old bands they'll probably get on board with my new band. The album is all about life in my 30s and is all very personal to me covering grief of old relationships, substance abuse, depression, anger at life/society and lots of other themes.
It was a way of letting go of the past. Making the record was very cathartic and I hope if anything it helps anyone that is struggling to either seek help or realise they're not alone."
This really helped me understand the songs which I found both powerful & often moving in addition to being memorable. It's worth remembering that we are considering here both a very skilled songwriter and one with much accumulated experience: one who has reached the stage where he wants to explore himself a little more & let his emotional guard fall a little. It was impossible for me not to think immediately of the parallel of John Lennon who after honing his considerable craft in the pop world turned his skills inwards/. ‘Into the Night' (the first half at least) may be Patch's equivalent of ‘Plastic Ono Band'. Certainly it shares several subjects as well as a general approach.
Where the comparison breaks down completely is that while the ex-Beatle got it off his chest by ditching his group, Patch needed to get a group together again to do so: "Initially I was going to do a solo project and Cocky was drumming on the recordings and eventually I realised I wanted to be in a band again and so I think I posted something on my social media asking if anyone was up for forming a band. We've been through a few different lineups while getting things right and we're all finally very happy with this lineup. Although we are keen on recruiting a keyboard player before the release of part 2".
He has always been an artist who cared about others (the first time I saw The Ripps live, they were playing for a group of adults with learning difficulties) and so one must see this exercise in looking inwards for the songs as an artistic rather than selfish initiative. And so he wanted me to include the following declaration: "I just want to give a plug to the local team we've collaborated with for this record. Jon Webb at The Moonbase where we recorded the album. Johnny Nicholds for the artwork, Mark Metcalfe for the videos and Lou Webb for running our socials. Cov has an abundance of talent and I'd urge any local artist to tap into their local network and elevate their community".
The group statement of intent is: "Fuelled by a DIY ethos and a disdain for the status quo, Voyeahs music is a rallying cry for the disillusioned, disenchanted and unrepresented."
It's hard to think of a philosophy more in tune with what I find admirable: I hope you get out of the new album what I feel that I have.
