Another cautionary tale that music success does not always equal a happy life. Out on Truth Records the 22nd of May.
Chappaqua Wrestling released their debut album Plus Ultra in 2023. Somewhere between grunge and an Interpol based take on the classic Mancunian sound, they were lauded all over the place. The album came out on EMI, so they had major label backing, but found themselves feeling distinctly uncomfortable. “We were selling out tours and people were loving the music, but honestly, we just felt f*****g lost,”says Charlie Woods, one of the core duo of guitarists and vocalists with Jake Mac. A sense of unease with a music industry machine that seemed designed to be rigged against the best interests of artists was compounded by the sudden death of Mac’s father. Eventually they decided that the only only way to carry on was to torch everything and start again. Hence the subtle name change to CQ Wrestling and a more DIY approach outside the major label system.
Resistance is an apt title for the album, there is a vein of defiance, of fighting back, running through it like the letters on a stick of rock. As with their heroes Interpol there is often an obliqueness to the lyrics. You would be hard pressed to have picked up that single ‘Catherine Wheels’ was about an Egyptian queen who was murdered by her king for not succumbing to his throne without hearing the band talk about it. The spectre of that sudden loss of Mac’s father lingers throughout a number of the tracks.
The album starts with ‘Pacifico’ a gorgeous slice of musically doom-tinged indie that touches upon the glacial cool of Interpol, except that the vocal sounds more like Ian Brown at his most tuneful. It gets the album off to a flying start.
‘Innocence’ keeps the high standard going, a more classical grunge guitar sound that evokes the spirit of Nirvana with a huge chorus. Fans of The Murder Capital will love ‘Smoke Screen,’ another track choke full of interlocking guitar melodies.
‘Shine Not Burn (Under The Sun)’ feels more original, an alarm like synth line opening into a lyrically powerful offering with Pixies strength bass. ‘Health+’ keeps the energy levels high, a thrilling guitar ride. ‘Finish Line’ is a longer track, like a slow motion juggernaut crashing towards you.
‘Catherine Wheels’ was the first single to appear last year and still sounds absolutely great.
This is an album that has really grown on me with repeat listens. Despite the nods to Interpol this is a thoroughly British album. The Mancunian vibes come through stronger on the second half and there are moments where it feels like a natural progression from The Stone Roses and Oasis. Whilst it may have been birthed in difficulty, CQ Wrestling have risen from the ashes like a phoenix. This deserves to be listened to, a band that has real potential to kick on from here and be a leading influence within UK indie-rock.
Essential Tracks: ‘Pacifico,’ ‘Innocence,’ ‘Smoke Screen,’ ‘Shine Not Burn (Under The Sun),’ ‘Finish Line’ and ‘Catherine Wheels.’
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