The story of Hightown Pirates is a fascinating one; highlighting how rock music can consume your soul, spit you out but how the passions and emotions it generates within the chosen few of us can lead to personal redemption and then, even better, how it can actually help lives.
The architect of Hightown Pirates is Simon Mason, who back in the 1990s was often found to be the chemical supplier to numerous rock outfits of the day. He released a book some years ago which outlines some of his associates, and it’s fair to say the names wouldn’t surprise you. Since then he’s hit record bottom (putting it lightly) through addictions but, long story short, amassed a collection of songs which he put to record over a very short period which became the fine debut Dry & High, released in 2017.
Now the Pirates set sail again for this special Hope Street Eternal EP. The title-track was released as a single late last year with proceeds going to the actual Charter Street Mission, a homeless charity serving the local community in Manchester. The track itself is evolved punk and mod psychedelia wrapped into one, a charging number which breaks down for its middle eight into a mellotron-lead pastoral offering before the burst of guitar which punctures the whole song reminds you that you are dealing with a rock band. Throw in some female, Gimme Shelter-esque vocals that add to the drama and there’s no mistaking we’re in a world where only integrity matters.
This One’s For You is aspirational, love-lorn and wistful, with lush production as provided by Youth (he of Killing Joke, who was an impressive production track record including work by James, The Charlatans and on The Verve’s masterpiece Urban Hymans). The third track, God’s Country, is eerie, like a missing 60s scouse garage classic which winds around before coming back on itself. Lastly, the kitchen sink drama of final track Hope Street Eternal channels northern soul but with both more bite and more hope, which is the ultimate message of the EP.
In his past, Mason has been close enough to rock talent to get what it takes, a combination of hard work and passion which he and the band clearly have in spades. It resonates through his vocals, which bear resemblance to the gravity and maturity of 21st century Paul Weller but the urgency of his output while in The Jam.
But it’s the content that matters, and the passion oozes from every note of this fine collection.
