Single review: History of Guns – When You Don’t Matter / Slice Up Your Wife

It’s a peculiar feeling seeing your own words quoted back at you on a press release. I liked History Of Guns‘ “Acedia” last year, and the prospect of a return single whetted my appetite. And with three songs, it’s a value-for-money single, too.

Looking through my groaning shelves recently I noticed that History Of Guns‘ musical references are diverse and unclassifiable: I found their pretty decent Hawkwind cover in the midst of the space rock bands. That, however, is nothing compared to the sheer variety of musical forms on show in this packed collection.

“When You Don’t Matter” is a slurred Goth lament for the early 80s synthesizer bands (Yazoo, Depeche Mode, Soft Cell) with a gloomy atmosphere and a plodding depth that stands in opposition to the pop-orientated originals. History Of Guns scramble around with technology and tones both old and new, but over it all hangs that spectral voice; taking his vocal cues (as always)  from early Andrew Eldritch, Del Alien inhabits the song as never before.

“Slice Up Your Wife” is a sub-three-minute slice of staggering satire and vengeful rage. Taking an allegedly ‘live’ Spice Girls song as its base, Max Rael twists the bouncy pop of “Spice Up Your Life” into a frightening and uncompromising did-he-really-say-that? swipe at media phenomena, consumerism… and the essential terror of the Spice Girls.

Apparently triggered by an overheard remark, “Slice Up Your Wife” alternates male vocals with the original lyrics, cut-ups of sound and meaning, new vocal sounds from Del and a satirical thrust that’s over a decade late. That said, it’s still the funniest thing I’ve heard in years and will undoubtedly find dancefloor favour in the few industrial/Goth clubs that remain.

“Forever” finishes up with six minutes of comedown/chill-out music featuring the (inevitably) repeated mantra of the song’s own title buried in the mix. Well, how else would YOU end an EP after the up-tempo darkly frivolous madness of “Slice Up Your Wife”? As far as I’m concerned, History Of Guns rule; you won’t hear better this year. The forthcoming album can’t be this good – but what a joy it’ll be listening to them try.