If it feels like it’s been a minute since you read the words “new Chinese Telephones music,” that’s because it has. Oh, it has. The Milwaukee punk outfit formed way back in 2004, and released a self-titled full-length in 2007. (A 2008 record called Democracy rounded up various early singles and splits.) And, well, that’s it. Live shows certainly haven’t been unheard of in the ensuing 15 years, but new music has. UNTIL NOW.
Yep, Chinese Telephones—a.k.a. Justin Telephone on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Daniel James on lead and rhythm guitar, Andy Junk on shirtless bass and backing vocals, and Logan Stang on drums—are back! The four-track Outta My Hands will be released on November 10, but we have a full preview TODAY. Listen to it below! Complete with a cover of The Dictators’ “Loyola”!
The DIY punk veterans sound great here, don’t they? Opener “Radianna” is an instantly winning callback to the Chi-Tels sound of yesteryear, while “Come And See Me” and “Tamping Down My Soul” take things in a decidedly more power-pop direction. And the Dictators cover stands toe-to-toe with that old cover of Guided By Voices’ “Game Of Pricks.” WELCOME BACK, CHINESE TELEPHONES!
Outta My Hands was recorded by the ever-busy Amos Pitsch, and mastered by the equally ever-busy Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering. Want to add the album to your physical record collection? Pre-order a black vinyl 7-inch HERE.
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