I will completely admit, I am biased when it comes to Baby Schillaci. I have been a fan of theirs ever since they popped onto my music radar in February last year with their debut single, “Radical”.
There is just something about this band that sends my Spidey senses into overtime. I knew from first listen that Baby Schillaci has this musical it factor and magic about them. I feel they’re on this cusp that’s just about to break and that they’ll soon be on everyone’s musical radar. They’re a little bit punk and a whole lot of rock-n-roll and damn great at what they do.
Their debut EP Physical Only was one of the best pieces of music that came out of 2023 and the collective force of Tom Richards (guitar, vocals), Richie Lewis (guitar, vocal), Andrew Evans (bass) and Tom Williams (drums) makes for an irrefutable and unstoppable band.
So when the band announced they would be releasing their next single “Ultra HD Happy Face” as part of Lovely Ugly / Pretty Shitty, a vinyl compilation of the Swansea alternative scene by R*E*P*E*A*T Records out on May 31, I may have completely fangirled.
Lovely Ugly / Pretty Shitty will feature Helen Love, Picsel, Baby Schillaci, Angharad, Tom Emlyn, Swansea Sound, Soundwire, Kikker, The Pooh Sticks, Trampolene, Egg Spectrum, Grey-FLX, Monet, Dead Noize, and The DC 10s. Compiled by Rosey at R*E*P*E*A*T and mastered by Sam Marsh, the compilation is a selection of music that inspired the label when they returned to Swansea five years ago.
While a lot of Lovely Ugly / Pretty Shitty features new songs, there are rare or unreleased sounds by Swansea legends Helen Love, The Pooh Sticks and The DC10s.
More about “Ultra HD Happy Face” though.
Holy moly y’all, “Ultra HD Happy Face” is brilliant.
I have not been in love with a drum opening since Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk”. That is until “Ultra HD Happy Face”. Tom W and Andrew lay down a beautiful groove that is so tightly wounded and grounded that the sheer pressure could produce a pristine diamond.
When I say and then, I mean AND THEN, Tom R and Richie, have the audacity to come in with dualling guitars and vocal harmonies that not only increase the already electrifying energy of “Ultra HD Happy Face” but amplifies the infectious energy tenfold!
On the song, the band says,
“An anxiety inducing gut punch. It was the track that set the scene for the album. The antithesis of the understated nuance that seems to be on-trend in middle England.”
“Ultra HD Happy Face” isn’t just part of Lovely Ugly / Pretty Shitty, it will be on the debut album from the band.
That’s right. Debut freaking album! I put Baby Schillaci on the artists to watch 2024 with a hope of an album this year. The more I think it’s going to be a good year for the band, I’m constantly pushed to new feelings of it’s going to be a great year for the band.
The Soundtrack will be out later this year and that day cannot come fast enough.
Until the debut’s release, one will have to grab “Ultra HD Happy Face” through Lovely Ugly / Pretty Shitty and catch Baby Schillaci live at:
- June 01 – Tangled Parrot in Swansea
- June 14 – Bunkhouse in South Wales
- August 23 – Tiny Rebel in Cardiff
Lovely Ugly / Pretty Shitty available at repeatfanzine.bandcamp.com :: Release shows for the album:
- June 01 – Tangled Parrot in Swansea with Monet, Angharad and Baby Schillaci.
- June 22 – Elysium with Kikker, Rainyday Rainbow, Grey-FLX, Soundwire, Tom Emlyn and Dead Noize plus DJs Hue (Swansea Sound / The Pooh Sticks), Catrin (The Loves) & Peter Stone (The Sweetest Ache).
