Black Honey – live at Gorilla, Manchester – April 4, 2023 – broadcast by Radio X –
Black Honey to head into Friday. Recorded live at Gorilla in Manchester on April 4, 2023 and broadcast on the 15th by John Kennedy’s Ex-Posure on Radio X.
With their third album, A Fistful Of Peaches, released in March of this year, Black Honey have been rapidly establishing themselves as cult figures in the world of Indie. Occasionally referred to as “delightful weirdos”, Black Honey formed in Brighton, in 2014. They are composed of lead singer and guitarist Izzy Baxter Phillips, guitarist Chris Ostler, bassist Tommy Taylor, and drummer Alex Woodward, who joined the group after the departure of Tom Dewhurst.
The band started when Izzy met Chris at university and started to write music together. Originally called ‘Whats Your Vice?’ from 2009 until 2011, the band went through several lineup changes, originally Izzy B. Phillips on vocals and guitar, Chris Ostler on guitar, Tom Chilton on Bass and Cookie on Drums. The band went through a string of bass players and eventually current band member Tommy Taylor joined ‘Whats Your Vice?’ on drums. They released a song called “Vampire”.
By 2012 they had changed their name to ‘Kill Moon’, with Izzy, Chris, Tommy (now on bass) and Tom Dew on drums. The band released a series of singles, as well as an EP titled Jupiter.
Black Honey officially formed in June 2014, releasing their first song under this name, “Sleep Forever”, in the same month. Subsequent songs were released to form a self-titled debut EP, released in November 2014. The EP featured the tracks “Sleep Forever”, “Teenager”, “The Taste” and “Bloodlust”.
On 21 September 2018, the band’s debut self-titled album Black Honey was released. The band embarked on an autumn tour during this year to promote the debut album. The band were also in Europe for a headline tour later in the year. In November 2018, the band released the single “Crowded City” with an accompanying music video. This single appeared on the self-titled debut album.
In 2019, the band were reported to be writing and recording songs for a second studio album, predicted to be released early 2020. In April 2019, the band were NME front cover stars. The band did a headlining tour during 2019, and also played Live At Leeds and Handmade Festival, Leicester. During this UK tour, the band released YouTube material titled “le Crousti Garçons”, which was just a bit of fun for the fans. The video for the single “Midnight” was nominated at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2019.
On 19 March 2021, the band released their second album, titled Written & Directed. It entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 7 on 26 March 2021, as well as No. 1 on the UK independent chart. On the Scottish album chart, the album achieved position No. 3. On the UK vinyl chart and the UK cassette chart, the album held position No. 2. On the UK physical chart, the album held position No. 4.[36]
The band headlined a ten-date UK tour between 23 September and 13 October 2021.
On 7 November 2022, the band announced their third album A Fistful of Peaches, which was released on 17 March 2023. The band also released the single “Heavy” on the same day, releasing its music video the day after on 8 November 2022.
Now that you’re all caught up – all that’s left for you is to hit the Play button and crank this one up. Pick up A Fistful Of Peaches via their website. I’m sure they’d appreciate it. But do it quick because everything is selling out fast.
