Cornwall-based roots rock band WILLE & THE BANDITS release their fifth studio album When The World Stood Still on January 28, 2022, on their independent label, Fat Toad Records. The album is now available to pre-order from www.willeandthebandits.com/shop.

The second single Good Stuff was released Friday January 21st and can be streamed from https://ingrv.es/good-stuff-rkn-7. 

The official music video for Good Stuff can be viewed below.

“Good Stuff is a feel-good song with a hypnotic groove and anthemic sing along chorus,” says Wille Edwards. The song features Wille on bottleneck slide and grooves almost like an ACDC track with a huge chorus that will get all the WATB fans singing back on the band’s forthcoming tour. The song asks “What makes you happy? What’s your good stuff?”

This new album documents a time when the world stood still, recorded in a place only accessible on the high tide, on the banks of the river Fowey; one of Britain’s most iconic recording studios that is coming to the end of an influential life. This could be the last album recorded at Sawmills, funded by the fans of a band considered one of the most exciting and successful independent acts in Europe,

It is no exaggeration to state that Sawmills Studio, with the artistry of John Cornfield, has produced some of the most ground-breaking albums of the last 30 years; Stone Roses’ Fools Gold, Oasis’ Definitely Maybe, Supergrass’ In It For The Money, Robert Plant’s The Fate of Nations, Muse’s Showbiz, and now Wille & The Bandits’ When the World Stood Still stands alongside as one of equal mastery.

Wille & The Bandits are a band who do not stop pushing boundaries. They were in the process of carving out a reputation as one of the UKs most original acts when the impacts of the pandemic led to a cease of touring. Wille and the Band got stuck into song-writing and an album was written; A group of powerful anthemic songs, who’s melodies and lyrics resonate with the emotions of a time that none of us expected.

“It had always been a dream for me to record at Sawmills,” says Wille Edwards, the band’s lead singer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist. “I was devastated at the thought that another piece of music history was being repurposed away from a place of inspiration for the arts.”

“However,” continues Wille, “there was a suggestion of fate when a friend took me night fishing at a secret spot, that just happened to be in the Foy River, looking across to this wonderfully situated building; one that we all know, even if we don’t realise it, from a childhood of reading Wind in the Willows. This set me on a hunt to find out if there was still a chance to record one last album at Sawmills with the man behind all the iconic albums recorded there – Mr John Cornfield. To fund this enterprise, we turned to our unbelievable fans who made the dream happen, and who we are eternally grateful, too”

Wille & The Bandits have so far recorded five studio albums to critical acclaim and are credited with pushing the boundaries of roots rock into a new era of music lovers. They were listed in the top ten must see bands at Glastonbury Festival by BBC Radio One and were personally invited to perform on the German TV show Rockpalast – a musical institution of global import.

They have played festivals across the world, from Broadway to the West End, and Belgrade to Sydney. They were picked to perform at the London Olympics after being voted one of UK’s best live acts.

The combination of one of the country’s best live bands, best producer and iconic recording studios has produced something very special with the forthcoming release of When The World Stood Still.

LINE-UP
Wille Edwards – Lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, dobro, electric lap steel
Harry Mackaill – Backing vocals, bass guitar, synthesizer
Matthew Gallagher – Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, piano, Mellotron, guitar, b. vocals
Tom Gilkes – Drums and percussion

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Recorded at Sawmills Studio
Engineered and Mixed by John Cornfield
Produced by Wille & The Bandits and John Cornfield
All songs written by Edwards, Mackaill, Gallagher, Gilkes
Mastered by Lewis Hopkin at Star Delta Mastering

ALBUM TRACK LISTING
Caught In The Middle (3.57)
I’m Alive (6.22)
Without You (8.33)
Good Stuff (4.56)
In This Together (3.42)
Will We Ever (4.25)
When The World Stood Still (5.08)
Move To Fast (6.05)
Broken Words (3.34)
Daylight (3.52)
Refuge (4.39)
Solid Ground (7.55)

WILLE & THE BANDITS MARCH & APRIL 2022 UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST TROY REDFERN
on all dates *except
TICKETS – http://www.willeandthebandits.com

Palladium, Bideford – Friday 4 March 2022
Old Bakery, Truro – Saturday 5 March 2022
Phoenix, Exeter – Sunday 6 March 2022
The Musician, Leicester – Wednesday 9 March 2022
The Flowerpot, Derby – Thursday 10 March 2022
The Bullingdon, Oxford – Friday 11 March 2022
Philharmonic, Liverpool – Saturday 12 March 2022
Continental, Preston – Wednesday 16 March 2022
Bodega, Nottingham – Thursday 17 March 2022
Hug & Pint, Glasgow – Friday 18 March 2022
The Cluny, Newcastle – Saturday 19 March 2022
Elsewhere, Margate – Wednesday 23 March 2022
Junction, Cambridge – Thursday 24 March 2022
The 100 Club, London – Friday 25 March 2022
Thekla, Bristol – Saturday 26 March 2022
Guildhall, Gloucester – Wednesday 30 March 2022
The Greystones, Sheffield – Thursday 31 March 2022
Town Hall, Selby – Friday 1 April 2022
The Tivoli, Buckley – Saturday 2 April 2022
The Star, Guildford – Wednesday 6 April 2022
The Robin, Bilston – Thursday 7 April 2022
Arts Centre, Bridgwater – Friday 8 April 2022
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon – Saturday 9 April 2022
*Nightrain, Bradford – Thursday 21 April 2022
*The Tivoli, Wimborne – Friday 22 April 2022
*Ropetackle, Brighton – Saturday 23 April 2022

SAMANTHA FISH OCTOBER 2022
SPECIAL GUESTS: WILLE & THE BANDITS
TICKETS: http://www.alttickets.com/samantha-fish-tickets

O2 Academy2 Oxford – Saturday 15 October 2022
Academy 2, Manchester – Sunday 16 October 2022
Chalk, Brighton – Tuesday 18 October 2022
Queens Hall, Edinburgh – Wednesday 19 October 2022
KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – Thursday 20 October 2022
St Luke’s, Glasgow – Friday 21 October 2022
The Brook, Southampton – Saturday 22 October 2022
Rock City, Nottingham – Sunday 23 October 2022
Tramshed, Cardiff – Monday 24 October 2022
Wylam Brewery, Newcastle – Tuesday 25 October 2022
Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London – Wednesday 26 October 2022
Komedia, Bath – Thursday 27 October 2022

Solid Ground, a track from taken from WILLE & THE BANDITS’ forthcoming album When the World Stood Still, reflects the concern and hypocrisy that is felt when continuing with life as we know it, recognising that we are not acting to protect the planet for our children.

The single is currently streaming on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3EXTB00

Watch the climate conscious official music video below.

Solid Ground was released on November 10th. The new album When The World Stood Still will be released by Fat Toad Records on January 28, 2022 via www.willeandthebandits.com

As many of the world leaders meet to discuss climate change this powerful and emotive song, accompanied by an equally compelling video, aims to get the message across with music. Following in the footsteps of many great songs of the past, current issues should be at the forefront of music culture, driving change, not hiding in the shadows. Music is the voice of the people, let it be heard.

Says Wille Edwards, lead singer and guitarist of Wille & The Bandits, “Every time I look at my children and think of their future, I worry for them; that the world will be a very different place, one with more pain and suffering and I want to do what I can to help. Music is my way of trying to help the cause.”

The song features Wille’s dynamic voice stating that he wants his children “walking on solid ground” and for any parent bringing children into this world there is always the anxiety of what world we are leaving for our children, even more so now with the “code red” warning given to humanity.

The song has shades of peak John Martyn about it and features a guitar solo which weeps and howls as if Peter Green has been transported back to planet earth. The video which accompanies the single features some of the tens of millions of people that took part in the “Global Day of Action for Climate Justice” across the world as well as many children who’s homemade made signs to ask leaders to act now. This movement needs a voice and music needs to be that voice.

WILLE & THE BANDITS MARCH & APRIL 2022 UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST TROY REDFERN
on all dates *except
TICKETS – http://www.willeandthebandits.com

Palladium, Bideford – Friday 4 March 2022
Old Bakery, Truro – Saturday 5 March 2022
Phoenix, Exeter – Sunday 6 March 2022
The Musician, Leicester – Wednesday 9 March 2022
The Flowerpot, Derby – Thursday 10 March 2022
The Bullingdon, Oxford – Friday 11 March 2022
Philharmonic, Liverpool – Saturday 12 March 2022
Continental, Preston – Wednesday 16 March 2022
Bodega, Nottingham – Thursday 17 March 2022
Hug & Pint, Glasgow – Friday 18 March 2022
The Cluny, Newcastle – Saturday 19 March 2022
Elsewhere, Margate – Wednesday 23 March 2022
Junction, Cambridge – Thursday 24 March 2022
The 100 Club, London – Friday 25 March 2022
Thekla, Bristol – Saturday 26 March 2022
Guildhall, Gloucester – Wednesday 30 March 2022
The Greystones, Sheffield – Thursday 31 March 2022
Town Hall, Selby – Friday 1 April 2022
The Tivoli, Buckley – Saturday 2 April 2022
The Star, Guildford – Wednesday 6 April 2022
The Robin, Bilston – Thursday 7 April 2022
Arts Centre, Bridgwater – Friday 8 April 2022
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon – Saturday 9 April 2022
*Nightrain, Bradford – Thursday 21 April 2022
*The Tivoli, Wimborne – Friday 22 April 2022
*Ropetackle, Brighton – Saturday 23 April 2022

Cornwall-based roots rock band WILLE & THE BANDITS release their fifth studio album When The World Stood Still on January 28, 2022, on their independent label, Fat Toad Records. The album is now available to pre-order from www.willeandthebandits.com/shop.

The first single Will We Ever is released Friday November 5 and can be streamed from https://ingroov.es/will-we-ever-hk9-a. The Will We Ever music video can be viewed HERE.

This is about an album that documents a time when the world stood still, recorded in a place only accessible on the high tide, on the banks of the river Fowey; one of Britain’s most iconic recording studios that is coming to the end of an influential life. This could be the last album recorded at Sawmills, funded by the fans of a band considered one of the most exciting and successful independent acts in Europe,

It is no exaggeration to state that Sawmills Studio, with the artistry of John Cornfield, has produced some of the most ground-breaking albums of the last 30 years; Stone Roses’ Fools Gold, Oasis’ Definitely Maybe, Supergrass’ In It For The Money, Robert Plant’s The Fate of Nations, Muse’s Showbiz, and now Wille & The Bandits’ When the World Stood Still stands alongside as one of equal mastery. 

Wille & The Bandits are a band who do not stop pushing boundaries. They were in the process of carving out a reputation as one of the UKs most original acts when the impacts of the pandemic led to a cease of touring. Wille and the Band got stuck into song-writing and an album was written; A group of powerful anthemic songs, who’s melodies and lyrics resonate with the emotions of a time that none of us expected.

“It had always been a dream for me to record at Sawmills,” says Wille Edwards, the band’s lead singer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist. “I was devastated at the thought that another piece of music history was being repurposed away from a place of inspiration for the arts.”

“However,” continues Wille, “there was a suggestion of fate when a friend took me night fishing at a secret spot, that just happened to be in the Foy River, looking across to this wonderfully situated building; one that we all know, even if we don’t realise it, from a childhood of reading Wind in the Willows. This set me on a hunt to find out if there was still a chance to record one last album at Sawmills with the man behind all the iconic albums recorded there – Mr John Cornfield. To fund this enterprise, we turned to our unbelievable fans who made the dream happen, and who we are eternally grateful, too”

Wille & The Bandits have so far recorded five studio albums to critical acclaim and are credited with pushing the boundaries of roots rock into a new era of music lovers. They were listed in the top ten must see bands at Glastonbury Festival by BBC Radio One and were personally invited to perform on the German TV show Rockpalast – a musical institution of global import. 

They have played festivals across the world, from Broadway to the West End, and Belgrade to Sydney.  They were picked to perform at the London Olympics after being voted one of UK’s best live acts.

The first single from the album, Will We Ever, features Wille’s signature slide guitar playing and powerful vocals. It mourns the loss of performing as a band, and asks the question; will the world ever be the same?

The combination of one of the country’s best live bands, best producer and iconic recording studios has produced something very special with the forthcoming release of When The World Stood Still. 

LINE-UP

Wille Edwards – Lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, dobro, electric lap steel
Harry Mackaill – Backing vocals, bass guitar, synthesizer
Matthew Gallagher – Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, piano, Mellotron, guitar, b. vocals
Tom Gilkes – Drums and percussion

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Recorded at Sawmills Studio
Engineered and Mixed by John Cornfield
Produced by Wille & The Bandits and John Cornfield
All songs written by Edwards, Mackaill, Gallagher, Gilkes
Mastered by Lewis Hopkin at Star Delta Mastering

ALBUM TRACK LISTING

Caught In The Middle (3.57)
I’m Alive (6.22)
Without You (8.33)
Good Stuff (4.56)
In This Together (3.42)
Will We Ever (4.25)
When The World Stood Still (5.08)
Move To Fast (6.05)
Broken Words (3.34)
Daylight (3.52)
Refuge (4.39)
Solid Ground (7.55)

ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK

Caught In The Middle
This track moves through three distinct genres, mixing hip-hop, folk and rock. Lyrically, it addresses the political turmoil and lack of identity the UK faces as it tries to re-establish itself as a global player. It features an almost Rage Against the Machine guitar riff, washed out with fuzz and octave dirt, mixed with harmonic slide lines which mimic analogue hip hop synth parts. If one song gets close to capturing the band’s genre-straddling sound, this is the one.

I’m Alive
The song is from the perspective of someone struggling with depression, who experiences a moment of epiphany which breaks the cycle of depression and who learns what it means to be alive. The song features a huge instrumental section, hinting at more eastern influences, with the use of percussion and exotic scales. The band shows what fantastic singers they all are with a three-way vocal harmony section in the chorus, reminiscent of The Eagles and a more southern rock approach.

Without You
Without You is a dark epic ballad which swirls from Stairway to Heaven to Pink Floyd in its musical approach, with a soundscape that wouldn’t be lost on a Tom Waits or Nick Cave record. The lyrics are very much inspired by the loss of a loved one, experienced by too many in this pandemic. Wille’s guitar solo features his signature slide sound soaring like David Gilmore’s, while the band transports the listener into another world. The vocal was done in one take, straight the way through. You can hear the pain and suffering in Wille’s delivery as he screams himself almost hoarse at the end.

Good Stuff
A feel-good song with a hypnotic groove and anthemic sing along chorus. The song features Wille on bottleneck slide and grooves almost like an ACDC track with a huge chorus that will get all the WATB fans singing back on the album’s tour. The song asks “What makes you happy? What’s your good stuff?”

In This Together
One of the most used phrases of the pandemic; We’re in this together. This track explores how divisive politics and social media fuel a culture of conflict and blame. The song is an up-tempo track which has shades of Tom Petty and a slight tilt towards 90’s Brit Pop.

Will We Ever
The band lament over whether they will ever sing on a stage again or return to normal pre-covid time of musical performance. The track almost has a southern rock edge with Wille playing dobro and lap steel as the main guitar, followed by a three-way harmony vocal chorus which has shades of The Allman Brothers.

When The World Stood Still
The title track of the album shows s gentler side of the band with Tom on brushes and percussion, Harry on double bass, Matt on Piano and Wille weaving in and out with his beautiful dobro playing. The song showcases Wille’s vocals at the forefront of the song which stands out as one of his best vocal performances to date. Lyrically, the song talks about the beauty experienced by some, of those first few weeks of the lockdown when nature almost took the world back and the common noises of the hustle and bustle lifted to create a stillness and tranquillity.

Move Too Fast
Move Too Fast really showcases the musicianship in the band with an almost New York funk-soul vibe running through the song with shades of Little Feat. The guitar solo is clearly inspired by Derek Trucks with the guitar imitating a human voice and the vocals using hip-hop phrasing to create a feel-good atmosphere. The song is about how people need to slow down and reflect on what is important in life and listen to their inner soul rather than external influences.

Broken Words
The stuttering chorus imitates the ineloquent and unclear statements released from the podium by our Prime Minister throughout the pandemic. The song has an almost funk edge to it, featuring a percussion break out from Tom Gilkes which uses any kitchen utensils and random objects (such as a bird house), that were at his disposal at the time of recording.

Daylight
Daylight is a song about Wille’s second daughter, who’s forceful nature and delightful exuberance bring him such joy (His first daughter had a song on the previous album written about her, so this isn’t favouritism). Don’t expect a soppy track because this one features a huge riff which breaks down into an almost Led Zeppelin type middle eight with thunderous Bonham drums and screaming vocals.

Refuge
A refuge is what music is to many people; a life raft which keeps us safe. The song talks about how musicians have been disrespected and disregarded during in the pandemic. At no point has there been consideration that art is a valuable commodity in society. This frustration has been translated into an ethereal, driving melody that shows the influence of Bruce Springsteen and War on Drugs.

Solid Ground
A beautiful song which has shades of John Martyn about it. The song focuses on the problems that our children will have with the “code red” warnings for humanity. It is a plea for our children to be able to walk on solid ground. Its features a guitar solo which weeps and howls as if Peter Green has been transported back to planet earth.

WILLE & THE BANDITS MARCH & APRIL 2022 UK TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST TROY REDFERN
on all dates *except
TICKETS – http://www.willeandthebandits.com

Palladium, Bideford – Friday 4 March 2022
Old Bakery, Truro – Saturday 5 March 2022
Phoenix, Exeter – Sunday 6 March 2022
The Musician, Leicester – Wednesday 9 March 2022
The Flowerpot, Derby – Thursday 10 March 2022
The Bullingdon, Oxford – Friday 11 March 2022
Philharmonic, Liverpool – Saturday 12 March 2022
Continental, Preston – Wednesday 16 March 2022
Bodega, Nottingham – Thursday 17 March 2022
Hug & Pint, Glasgow – Friday 18 March 2022
The Cluny, Newcastle – Saturday 19 March 2022
Elsewhere, Margate – Wednesday 23 March 2022
Junction, Cambridge – Thursday 24 March 2022
The 100 Club, London – Friday 25 March 2022
Thekla, Bristol – Saturday 26 March 2022
Guildhall, Gloucester – Wednesday 30 March 2022
The Greystones, Sheffield – Thursday 31 March 2022
Town Hall, Selby – Friday 1 April 2022
The Tivoli, Buckley – Saturday 2 April 2022
The Star, Guildford – Wednesday 6 April 2022
The Robin, Bilston – Thursday 7 April 2022
Arts Centre, Bridgwater – Friday 8 April 2022
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon – Saturday 9 April 2022
*Nightrain, Bradford – Thursday 21 April 2022
*The Tivoli, Wimborne – Friday 22 April 2022
*Ropetackle, Brighton – Saturday 23 April 2022