Modern English

Modern English is excited to announce the release of 1 2 3 4, the legendary British new wave/post-punk band’s first album of new material in eight years.

"The cold clang of post-punk guitars and synths sounds very 'now', but the veteran band brings a depth and worldliness to these songs that sets them apart." — Mojo
 
“Not unlike ‘I Melt With You’, 1 2 3 4 taps into political themes reflective of the
 last four years.” — SPIN
 
“'1 2 3 4' remains firmly rooted in a 1980s New Wave aesthetic of sharp-edged guitar jangles and world-weary, vaguely sarcastic and gently political lyrics." — UNCUT

“More of a post-punk rendering, ‘Long in the Tooth’ is a palpitating glance back at 1981’s ‘Mesh & Lace’ with its gaze set on the band, now.” — American Songwriter
 
“Echoes of the past but very much of today.” (4 stars) — Record Collector
 
“We mean this as a compliment: ‘Long in the Tooth’ sounds like it could be a few decades old, recalling the scrappy, melodic post-punk of its debut.” — Consequence






Produced by Mario J. McNulty (David Bowie, Lou Reed, Nine Inch Nails), mixed by Cenzo Townsend and mastered at Abbey Road, 1 2 3 4 retains the intrinsic spirit of these early post-punk days, and is also a sterling sonic example of what Modern English have always done best. The album encompasses seething songs with a punk bite (“Long in The Tooth,” “Plastic”), keyboard-forward melodic rockers ("Not Fake,” "Crazy Lovers") and simmering, darkwave-meets-post-punk gems (“Exploding,” “Out to Lunch”). With a touch of subtle themes lifted from After the Snow (1982) and Ricochet Days (1984) that include the environment, aging, failed relationships, love, politics and more, 1 2 3 4 finds the legendary band delving into nostalgia but, as always, exploring new creative territory. Stream the band’s new single, “Not Fake,” on YouTube HERE.

Additionally, Modern English has announced a number of international dates in support of 1 2 3 4. Kicking off with a run of support dates with The Buzzcocks in the U.S., Mexico and Germany and the U.K. in March and April, the band will also be performing as part of the inaugural Totally Tubular Festival across North America throughout June and July. Totally Tubular Festival will also feature Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Men Without Hats, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy Tutone (in select markets) and The Plimsouls across 17 dates, and a portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go towards local food banks in each market. A full listing of Modern English tour dates can be found below, and information on tickets can be found on the band’s website HERE.

Founding members Robbie Grey (vocals/guitar) and Mick Conroy (bass) started coming up with the music for 1 2 3 4 during the spring 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, swapping ideas back and forth remotely. Conroy set up a temporary home studio in Suffolk, England, with gear arranged in a tiny kitchen area (“Once I'd set up, that meant you couldn't open the fridge door,” he says) and found himself inspired by the first Siouxsie and the Banshees album and the David Bowie records featuring Mick Ronson.

After having amassed a batch of fresh songs, restrictions loosened enough so Modern English could gather together and go over this new music. The band deliberately went for a “raw-sounding affair” that was “more energetic,” Conroy says, and recorded the album in just a few takes with minimal overdubs in a residential studio in upstate New York. “We wanted some edge to it,” Grey says. “Live drums and getting the feel of moving from verse to chorus with everyone playing. It sounds like a live album.”

The band’s keen sense of dynamics is also evident throughout 1 2 3 4. “With Modern English, we start off with an idea and then we go off on slight tangents,” says Conroy. “But there's always one or two songs that don't sound anything like punk rock. They sound like Modern English.”

Modern English co-produced their sophomore effort, 1982’s After the Snow, with Hugh Jones (The Sound, Echo & The Bunnymen), pairing trademark moodiness with spiky guitars and shimmering keyboards. In addition to the UK top 40 hit “Life in the Gladhouse," the LP became known for “I Melt With You,” which became a top 10 hit at U.S. rock radio and crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. A paragon of consistency, Modern English have become widely respected over the years as innovators, thanks to younger generations discovering their catalog and new artists citing the band as an influence. This increased popularity has translated to sold-out tours performing their early albums and a main stage appearance at the 2023 Cruel World Festival in front of more than 25,000 people.

It’s been a big journey for everybody, and our early days are really important to us,” Grey summarizes. “We haven't changed that much. We're still the same people inside. And the original members are the sound of the band — Stephen [Walker] on the keyboards, making lots of noises with all his analog synths, and then the sounds made by guitarist Gary [McDowell] or bassist Mick [Conroy]. If you take some of those components away, you won't have the Modern English sound.”

Modern English will be making the following appearances in EUROPE in 2024.


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11 — Dortmund, DE — Musiktheater Piano special guests of Buzzcocks
12 — Frankfurt, DE — Batschkapp special guests of Buzzcocks
13 — Berlin, DE — Huxleys special guests of Buzzcocks
14 — Hamburg, DE — Knust, special guests of Buzzcocks
18 — Stockholm, SE —Hus 7
20— Malmo, SE-Medley
22 — Copenhagen, DK — Little Vega
24 — Oberhausen, DE — Kulttemple
25 — Hague, NL — Paard
26 — Amsterdam, NL — Paradiso
27 — London UK — Dingwalls
May 2-Paris-Petit Bain