From the shadowy streets of Stoke-On-Trent in Staffordshire, England, The Two Step Goodbyes, Kev Kalski(Upright Bass/Vocals), Simon Frain(Guitar/Vocals) and Will Haywood(Drums/Backing Vocals) provide their take on a more Punk Rock influenced Psychobilly. While their sound isn’t as far into punk as sub-genre Punkabilly may be with its political/societal content, but they aren’t sticking to the mold of the more Rockabilly flavored, traditional Psychobilly.
2018 saw the release of the bands first EP titled “10,000 Volts” and was followed by 12 months of consistent live shows. Within that 12 months, The Two Step Goodbyes have supported Psychobilly legends Demented Are Go, and are set to play alongside The Meteors this coming April. “10,000 Volts” showed the groove they are capable of and had them living up to their name with excellent two step rhythms that became almost mandatory to tap along to. “The Age of the Atom” brings a heavier, faster paced, riff fueled approach that still commands tapping and stomping along.
Right out of the gate, “Goddamn Atomic” is in your face with no lead in or build up. It is just ready built, amped-up Punk Rock N Roll. Guaranteed to get any crowd up and moving and immediately delivers on the promise of an “unholy mixture of raucous riffs and jackhammer rhythms”. “Bone Shaker” follows, and slows it down a little, but not enough to stop any movement. This is one, however, that will cause the pit to clear, and open up for those looking to outright dance along. An up-tempo, bluesy guitar solo just adds a little something extra to round out an already great song.
If the late, great, legendary Johnny Cash did nothing else for the world of Rock N Roll music, he at the very least gave it something every “Billy” band has in their arsenal, that freight train rhythm. “Dead In The Ground” is that song for The Two Step Goodbyes. Complete with a catchy chorus and a steady, unrelenting beat. The drums and up-right bass take center stage here. “Dead In The Ground” is rightfully going to be the stand-alone single with a video to be released 14 Febuary, to coincide with Valentine’s Day. To finish up the EP, “Good For Nothing” is the most traditional Psychobilly sounding of the four songs. But, like the rest of this EP, “Good For Nothing” requires movement with its tap along rhythm and sing-along chorus. This EP is surely going to add fuel to the already high energy live show The Two Step Goodbyes are proud of.
“The Age of the Atom” is available for pre-order via the bands website(link below). There is a special pre-order exclusive package that includes a double EP edition (both of the bands EPs), your name included in the CD sleeve notes, and a Raygun logo pin badge. The Double Ep pore-order expires 31 January; but the single EP pre-order for the CD of only “The Age of the Atom” is until 12 February, the EP’s official release date. Streaming will be available via Spotify, as well as digital download via Bandcamp.