Like any good tree with solidly fixed roots, branches will grow off. It’s a natural cycle that we should welcome. When it comes to bands and musicians, this process is even more fascinating to watch (and listen to). Today we are pleased to share with you news that Andrew Golding, founding member of C86 pioneers The Wolfhounds, will release his debut eponymous album under the name Dragon Welding (this name itself is actually an anagram).

Ahead of this mid-March release, which is happening via A Turntable Friend Records, he presents the lead track ‘The Builders’. This is a mind-boggling and incredibly impressive debut offering. With a hypnotic train-like riff running throughout the track and fantastic guitar work that sounds somewhere between Kristin Hersh and Kula Shaker and dare we throw heavy metalist rockers Meshugga (albeit without all that heaviness) into that mix (just for the solo, of course).

“The Builders” is a clanging track that moves forward with purpose. Loops of grinding guitar distortion are brightened by incessant industrial percussion. Golding sing-talks his vivid lyrics amid the ear-catching sonics, while a discordant guitar line buzzes through with a fierce sting.

Dragon Welding is Golding’s first solo album and a remarkable effort, covering different genres, including alternative pop rock and indie-folk. As guitarist, writer and multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Golding has been a part of Wolfhounds since 1984 and has written, played and sung on every album by The Wolfhounds.

‘The Builders’, which is about the gentrification of our cities, is an epic six-minute hypnotic journey à la Moonshake. It is also bound to give a sharp thrill to fans of The LA’s, The Last Shadow Puppets, early output from The Telescopes and, of course, The Wolfhounds. Golding’s voice lays somewhere between The Cure’s Robert Smith and the infamous Mick Jones.

Musically, Dragon Welding features a rich blend of influences, the most obvious being The Wolfhounds and Moonshake, with nods to Neu! and Stereolab drone, particularly on ‘The Builders’. Other tracks like ‘The Dumb’ or the driving ‘These Are Dangerous Times’ offer an eclectic mix of acoustic guitars and analog synths, reminiscent of German cult band The Notwist.

Interestingly enough, the Dragon Welding LP was largely written, recorded, mixed, and edited on mobile devices while commuting between Essex, Hammersmith, and Los Angeles, proving that Andrew Golding means business and is no time-waster.

This debut LP is also a family affair, featuring contributions from Alice Golding (The Othyrs and The Wolfhounds backing vocals) and son James Golding. The album’s cover artwork was conceived and painted by his wife Helen. Andrew Golding himself also animated the accompanying video for this song and a smashing one it is.

Final mastering was supervised by Ant Chapman (Collapsed Lung and Arndales).

As of March 15, this album will be available everywhere digitally via A Turntable Friend Records with distribution worldwide by SRD (London, UK). The download comes with digital booklet including lyrics. It will also be issued as a limited-edition 11-track CD in gatefold and is now available for order via Bandcamp and Limited Run HERE.

TRACK LIST
1) Dirty Stick
2) The Builders
3) One Miserable Summer
4) These Are Dangerous Times
5) Slap
6) Join The Dots
7) The Dumb
8) Bucket List No. 1
9) Bucket List No. 2
10) Solidarité
11) Lament For Common Sense

Also check out their track ‘These Are Dangerous Times’ off this same album:

DRAGON WELDING / THE WOLFHOUNDS
Dragon Welding Bandcamp
Dragon Welding Store
Wolfhounds Facebook
Wolfhounds Twitter