“The most Punk-Rock band in Britain” The Big Issue
“A ceaseless burble of bizarro ‘tronics worthy of Hawkwind’s Michael ‘DikMik’ Davies or Fifty Foot Hose” The Quietus
“None of the band is particularly into the Fall: their music just comes out like that, with an added sweep of Hawkwind-esque bombast” The Guardian
Leeds band Ultimate Thunder have shared their first Christmas single, with a push to raise funds for long-standing supporters Pyramid. A characteristically chaotic and groovy entry to the Ultimate Thunder catalogue, ‘It’s Not Christmas Yet’ finds singer Matthew (below, left) at odds with the rest of the band’s pro-Christmas message…
A looping dub-punk bassline, disco drums and eclectic electronics collide with the obligatory sleighbells and festive cheer as frontman Matthew recounts everything he can’t stand about the ‘holiday season’. A searing stream of consciousness interspersed with rhyming couplets like the withering “Christmas Cake / For God’s Sake”, the band rise to match Matthew’s intensity with angular guitar feedback, spiralling synth sonics and blown out festive samples before the whole song implodes in Christmas-flavoured chaos.
The band, all but one member of whom has a learning disability and complex needs, are sharing this new single to cap off a whirlwind year. Beginning with long-term supporters Pyramid losing the funding that paid for their complex rehearsal, recording and practice sessions, Ultimate Thunder found themselves at the heart of a viral crowdfunding campaign before going on to release their second album and play a handful of massive shows at Kendal Calling, Shambala and as the opening act for Yard Act’s homecoming Millennium Square gig.
To thank their supporters of ten years, all sales of ‘It’s Not Christmas Yet’ will be donated to Pyramid; a Leeds-based charity that invests in people with a learning disability, autism, or both, through the discovery, development and disruption of the arts.
The charity’s goal is to help people to discover the arts, and to develop their talents to become world-class artists by disrupting the social and institutional barriers that prevent them from being recognised, supported and celebrated.
Pyramid does this through collaborative art groups, including a programme for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as providing one-to-one creative support and professional development opportunities.
‘It’s Not Christmas Yet’ is out on all platforms now. The band would like to encourage fans to listen and purchase via Bandcamp to maximise the support to Pyramid.
Matthew Watson, Ultimate Thunder: “I’ve got an idea – let’s stop talking about Christmas; it’s not Christmas yet. Anyway, whatever. Merry Christmas. I’m getting a new monkey.”
James Mabbett, Easy Listening Records: “We thought it would be a great way to bookend the year by giving something back to Pyramid, the charity which supported the band for so many years. Here’s to Pyramid, and here’s to whatever next year brings.”
James Hill, Pyramid:“We supported Ultimate Thunder for ten years and we absolutely loved it and still have really strong connections with members of the band. We’re so pleased to see Ultimate Thunder continue to disrupt the music industry with their post-punk music. The band is a brilliant example of how you can remove barriers for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to enter the creative industry and we’re excited to see what they produce next.
We’re grateful that Ultimate Thunder has chosen to support us with the sales from their Christmas single. Their contribution will help us continue to support people with learning disabilities and/or autism to discover the arts, and to develop their talents to become world-class artists.”
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