“Red Guitars were on fire last night” Jonathan Wood (Twitter/X)
“They had great songs, cutting lyrics and a guitar sound to die for, but were their tastes too eclectic to hold an indie audience who rarely strayed out into the sun? In the cold light of day it seemed like a good question. In the live arena, however, every doubt was blown away.
Having seen many band reformations we can genuinely say that very few have been as enjoyable, edifying and heart-warming as Red Guitars were in Manchester. We always say that if you are going to be in a band then look like you are in a band, and the Red Guitars looked fabulous. Obviously they were older, but they were dressed to the nines and, really importantly, they all had fabulous shoes, with Jerry’s red suede numbers particularly splendid….They received a great reception and appeared delighted; it was incredibly well deserved. This was a terrific evening, one of the best of the year.” Adam Hammond, Isolation Records
“Loved it! Fantastic show – great to see a band enjoy it almost as much as the crowd. Don’t miss out – go and see it if you get the chance.” Marc Bolton Manchester
“Quality evening, was expecting about an hour but got 1½hrs. Loved all the smiling faces, and even got a mention by the band for my FACT t-shirt” Mike Vincent Manchester
We have Good Technology UK Tour 2023 T Shirts – and they are fab!
Based on the sleeve design of the June 2023 12″ vinyl re-issue of Good Technology with the September 2023 tour dates on the back, they come in 5 sizes. £25 with free postage and packing in the UK.
Red Guitars x Jake Angel Good Technology (Cowboy Mix) New Single, Video & Tour
NEWSFLASH! New Red Guitars x Jake Angel Good Technology Cowboy Remix is to be released on 1st September ahead of our UK tour. You can find out more and watch the video now. YEEHAH!
With their complete and original line-up about to kick off a 40th anniversary UK tour, seminal 80’s post-punk outfit Red Guitars mark an unexpected collaboration with country hip-hop pioneer Jake Angel with the September 1st release of Good Technology (Cowboy Mix), an other-worldly rework of the Hull band’s debut single and number one indie chart hit, with rattlesnake slides, menacing fretless bass and distorted call & response vocals.
The Red Guitars x Jake Angel – Good Technology (Cowboy Mix) was mixed by Red Guitars Lou Duffy-Howard in collaboration with Nashville based producer Jake Angel. The track will be released as a free download on Bandcamp.
“When the 40th anniversary of Good Technology was coming into view we had the original master tape baked and digitised, so we had the original stems to work with. John took the lead on the official extended remix and I worked on the additional Cowboy Mix. We’re all fans of the wild west and our drummer Matt’s nephew is Jake Angel, who lives in Nashville and produces country hip hop beats. I picked one of his beats to work with, mixed the original stems and added a new live fretless bass to the track. I changed the scan of the vocals and separated each line so that it became a kind of question and answer, adding a slight distortion to the answer and panning it slightly to one side. I made the video to go with it, and I particularly like the way that in the guitar solo the bull moves from left to right as the solo does the same.” Red Guitar Lou Duffy-Howard
“That video is a VIBE!” Jake Angel Beats
‘Freaking hell – or a more sweary version of that!!!! It’s ACE – totally different mood to the Extended Mix, but both distinctively & brilliantly evocative.’
‘Powerful juxtaposition of atmospheric Dust Bowl resonators & rattlesnake slides & menacing fretless bass weaving a serpentine path through the beats; panning, distorted vocal echoes & the screaming tortured guitar a potent sonic “J’Accuse”‘ Junkyard of Silenced Poets
The Red Guitars Good Technology 2023 tour takes in 12 UK dates and we are delighted that support for the tour (except Sheffield) will be our friends Liverpool based band The Room.
We had a brilliant time filming the Good Technology 2023 video with film maker Simon Baxter.
We’ve been saving these photos until the video is released – which it is, so here they are, have a look through the gallery, photos by Richard Duffy-Howard.
Watch the video which accompanies the extended re-mixed and augmented edition of Good Technology:
“Just listening to a pre-release copy of Red Guitars extended 2023 remix of ‘Good Technology.’ And I don’t believe what I’ve heard. By a country mile, one of the greatest pieces of music I’ve heard in YEARS.” London Peaky
“Exceptional work: music and video. This is one of THE absolute musical highlights of 2023: a majestic and powerful development of this iconic track… and profoundly moving.” Junkyard of Silenced Poets
“40 years on … this song is actually more powerful, more poignant, more relevant and more vital than it was back then. Arresting, ear bending and original, I am convinced that if it was released today it would be seized upon by hip indie influencers as one of the next big things. The new video is especially jaw dropping, cleverly splicing images of the band performing now and then with disturbing warnings of where climate chaos, war and racism will lead us if we don’t take urgent united action to stop it.” R*E*P*E*A*T Magazine
Red Guitars are thrilled to announce their second UK tour in two years. This highly anticipated news comes on the back of last weekend’s sold out two hour set in Hull to launch their 40th anniversary edition red vinyl and video of their number 1 Indie hit Good Technology 2023. The audience were treated to a mix of all the original favourites together with a selection of new songs revealed for the first time.
The Good Technology 2023 tour takes in 12 UK dates and we are delighted that support for the tour (except Sheffield) will be our friends Liverpool based band The Room.
“Just listening to a pre-release copy of Red Guitars extended 2023 remix of ‘Good Technology.’ And I don’t believe what I’ve heard. By a country mile, one of the greatest pieces of music I’ve heard in YEARS.” London Peaky
Red Guitars are vocalist Jeremy Kidd, lead guitarist Hallam Lewis, drummer Matt Higgins, rhythm guitarist John Rowley and Lou Duffy-Howard on bass. Initially cutting their teeth playing benefit shows for a series of left-wing causes in the early ’80s Red Guitars quickly built a loyal following before launching an assault on the charts with a series of singles via their own Self Drive Records label that would see them earn a nationally renowned status.
Proving an instant hit with their debut single, the quintet shifted an impressive 60,000 copies of their self-released “Good Technology” single, before going on to top the Independent Charts with consecutive No.1s with the classic cuts “Marimba Jive” and “Steeltown”.
Forging their own sound with a unique mix of infectious rock and African rhythms, the band quickly earned support from the tastemaker titles of the time including cult 1980s Channel 4 music TV show The Tube and the BBC’s Whistle Test, through to a number of memorable sessions for BBC Radio legend John Peel. The band were notably enjoyed by thousands when supporting The Smiths on their breakthrough tour too.
Releasing their seminal debut album ‘Slow To Fade’ in 1984, frontman Jeremy Kidd announced his departure soon after and Red Guitars ultimately disbanded completely two years later.
Fast forward to 2022 and Red Guitars returned with their complete and original line-up for what was their first tour since their 80s prime. The tour was a great success, with sell out shows and the band’s loyal followers turning out in force. June 24 th 2023 marks 40 years since Good Technology was released. The band are issuing a limited edition red vinyl 12” extended and augmented remix to celebrate the anniversary. A radio edit and remix of second single “Fact” is included along with a digital download of the tracks. A new video accompanies the release and following a sell out album launch in the band’s hometown of Hull, the ‘Good Technology 2023 UK Tour’ starts in September.
Shedding light on why the time is now right for the return of Red Guitars and what fans can expect from the upcoming live shows, Lou Duffy-Howard of the band says:
“We were contacted out of the blue by Steve Homer, CEO of worldwide events promotion company AEG Presents. He asked if we’d be up for a tour. We thought about it and the answer was … yes!…. We had such a great time with fantastic audiences that we’re doing it again. As well as all the singles and favourites from our first album we’ll be revealing one or two new songs before we start recording the new album. We’re delighted that our friends from Liverpool based band The Room will be our support for the tour. “
Wow, that was a hot one! We had a brilliant time, playing for two hours – a set of favourites and three new songs – to a sold out full house on the hottest night of the year. What an atmosphere!
Thanks to everyone who came along, sang along and jumped about at our Good Technology 2023 launch gig at O’Rileys, Hull. It was a whirlwind and we had a fantastic night. Thanks to Terra Fin for a superb set opening the show, Jeff Parsons on the SP404, and to Darren and the team at O’Rileys.
And a big thanks to everyone in the audience, especially all who travelled to Hull from far and wide for making it a fantastic night to remember!
Photos by Richard Duffy-Howard
Red Guitars are:
Jeremy Kidd vocals, Hallam Lewis lead guitar, John Rowley rhythm guitar, Lou Duffy-Howard bass, and Matt Higgins drums. Thanks to guest guitarist Jos Allen.
Look out for UK tours dates coming soon.
Good Technology 2023 Order Now! June 24th marks 40 years since Good Technology was released. Low stock remaining – limited edition red vinyl 12” extended remix to celebrate the anniversary. Info and pre-order at the link: https://redguitars.co.uk/goodTech12inch.html
“Just listening to a pre-release copy of Red Guitars extended 2023 remix of ‘Good Technology.’ And I don’t believe what I’ve heard. By a country mile, one of the greatest pieces of music I’ve heard in YEARS.” London Peaky Webzine
Feast your eyes on all nine and a half minutes of the brand new video which accompanies the extended re-mixed and augmented edition of Red Guitars number 1 Indie hit Good Technology – originally released 40 years ago to the day.
Good Technology 2023 – brand new video released today!
Feast your eyes on all nine and a half minutes of the brand new video which accompanies the extended re-mixed and augmented edition of Red Guitars number 1 Indie hit Good Technology – originally released 40 years ago to the day.
“Just listening to a pre-release copy of Red Guitars extended 2023 remix of ‘Good Technology.’ And I don’t believe what I’ve heard. By a country mile, one of the greatest pieces of music I’ve heard in YEARS.” London Peaky
Info:
The band are issuing a limited edition of 500, red vinyl, 12” extended remix to celebrate the anniversary.
Release Date: June 24th 2023 Track Listing: A: Good Technology 2023 Fact (Remix) AA: Good Technology 2023 (Extended Mix)
Remixed by John Rowley Good Technology, words and music by Stuart Ross, arranged by the Red Guitars
Good Technology 40th anniversary party – SOLD OUT
The Good Technology release party will be followed by a newly commissioned video and the band are planning a UK tour later in the year.
More records are arriving, thanks for your photos everyone. And thanks to London Peaky webzine for this fab comment:
“Just listening to a pre-release copy of Red Guitars extended 2023 remix of ‘Good Technology.’ And I don’t believe what I’ve heard. By a country mile, one of the greatest pieces of music I’ve heard in YEARS.” London Peaky
They are selling fast – good job we saved a box for Saturday’s launch gig!
Sarah Dunlop
