Full disclaimer, I’m a massive fan of Fast Thursday! I’ve been following their exploits for a few years now and it’s fair to say that I’ve shared a few pints with the force of nature that is their lead singer Reece Nelson. ‘Back to the Start‘ is a song about the band member’s youth, and the lads trying to hold on tight to those childhood memories, which, coming from an old music writer slash photographer, I can fully get behind.
If you like electric guitar riffs, then you’ll love the opening to this track, the drums aren’t long in coming behind to push the throttle forward. It has all the feelings of a live performance, which considering how it was all put together during a global pandemic is testament to their determination in continuing to make great music. Luke Sharkey on drums had his session recorded in NWRC’s studios, whilst Reece and bass guitarist Jamie McClelland recorded their instrumentals in their respective home studios. Reece recorded his vocals at NWRC and again, final touch ups at home, however, with this track departing somewhat from their usual fair, they asked for local music student Juno Hasson to lend her vocals, in not so much a backing vocals way, more of a loose duet.
Listening to the song through headphones really does leave you with your head nodding back and forth, as would any rock’ish anthem. There are definite Thin Lizzy influences to the style of the writing and performance, stripped back from hyper production filters, it has a more earthy, honest and truthful form. If you close your eyes, you can really get a sense of being in a small no nonsense hot music venue, surrounded by fellow metal heads, and even doing that feels nostalgic, since it’s been nearly a year since most of us have been near one due to COVID.
If you’ve never heard of Fast Thursday, then use this track as a guide, then open yourself up to the energy these Derry & Strabane lads give to their music with their other offerings. You won’t be disappointed.
