We don’t generally do posts about individual tracks. That’s what other blogs do. Blogs that have plenty of time on their hands, and whose writers have that ability to turn on a tap of descriptive prose, a skill that still hasn’t come to us yet even after nearly seven years of Brighton Music Blog.
But yesterday saw the unexpected release from an offshoot of one of our favourite bands, at a time when another band member also has a track out. Ex-Display Model is a new project from David and Ed from Fujiya & Miyagi, who have just put out the debut track Immaculate Rip. This isn’t David’s first excursion from Fujiya & Miyagi – he was involved in a project called Omega Male a few years back (and if you haven’t listened to their track Buildings Like Symphonies you’re missing out) – and Ed has been half of AK/DK for many years long than he’s been drumming with Fujiya & Miyagi, so fans shouldn’t be concerned that they’re splitting up. In fact, when I caught with Fröst (Steve Lewis’ side project with Johanna Bramli) to shoot the latest Brighton Rocks, he hinted that there’s a new F&M album in the works.
When Immaculate Rip starts you could be forgiven for thinking it was a Fujiya & Miyagi track. David hasn’t changed his vocal style for it, and the music wouldn’t be out of place on any of their albums. At 53 seconds in you realise it’s a different band, as new rave guitars and electroclash synths bring a shock to the system.
It contrasts a fair bit with Record Is Still Spinning by Fröst, which musically looks back on F&M’s influences – krautrock played on analogue synths – but thanks to Johanna’s vocal and songwriting input feels like wholly different band rather than just an analogue Fujiya & Miyagi project.
If Frost is the sound of F&M connecting with their roots, then Ex Display Model is the sound of them reconnecting with their youth.
You can catch Fujiya & Miyagi playing their only Brighton date of the year at Kitfest at St Georges Church on 15th September. Frost launch their album at the Prince Albert on 3rd October.
