Sleaford Mods are pleased to announce the release of their cover of the Pet Shop Boys’ iconic single ‘West End Girls’, with all profits from the track going to UK’s Shelter as the band continue their longstanding collaboration with the homeless charity.
A video for the song, directed by Ewen Spencer, can be watched now while the single is available to stream. A physical release is also set to follow, as the single will be available both during the band’s current tour and in record shops from 15 December.
The Nottingham duo created a version of the 1986 classic single between tours for their latest album UK GRIM, and then sought the blessing of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe to release the track.
Not only did Sleaford Mods’ West End Girls meet with the pair’s approval, but the Pet Shops Boys were inspired to remix the cover and that version will now feature as one of the tracks on the limited edition single.
“Sleaford Mods have brought East End boys back to the West End streets for a great cause and we love their new version”
– Pet Shop Boys
Hifi Sean has also contributed an Acid House meets Hi-NRG remix for the release, while Sleaford Mods’ own Andrew Fearn has added a heady vocoder led mix under his solo guise of Extnddntwrk.
Sleaford Mods – ‘West End Girls’ (Official Video)
WATCH EWEN SPENCER DIRECTED VIDEO
ALL PROFITS FROM THE RELEASE GO TO CHARITY SHELTER:
http://www.justgiving.com/
BUY/STREAM:
https://sleafordmods.ffm.to/
Clearly apparent from their own minimal approach to music, Pet Shop Boys have always been an important influence for Sleaford Mods, with Chris and Neil’s ability to merge sophisticated electronics and rich character often serving as a lodestar for producer Andrew Fearn and frontman Jason Williamson’s partnership.
“‘West End Girls’ is a song that’s very close to my heart, my coming-of-age track in so many ways,” says Andrew Fearn of their motivation to pay homage to Pet Shop Boys.
Jason Williamson continues: “I’ve been listening to the Pet Shop Boys’ albums Please and Actually a lot, the music still fits this landscape so well. When Andrew suggested we cover West End Girls, it was important to honour the track’s brilliance. So, when Neil and Chris gave the track their blessing our tiny minds were blown, and when we received their remix… it was almost too much. It was brilliant!”
For their part Pet Shop Boys say they were suitably impressed with the 2023 take on their classic, declaring: “Sleaford Mods have brought East End boys back to the West End streets for a great cause and we love their new version.”
Available to stream now, Sleaford Mods’ ‘West End Girls’ cover will also be released on a limited edition, white-label seven-inch which will be sold via the merch stand on the duo’s upcoming UK dates. A 12-inch edition single, featuring the remixes from the Pet Shop Boys, HiFi Sean and Extnnddntwrk, can be pre-ordered now ahead of its physical release on 15 December.
Profits generated by ‘West End Girls’ are being donated by Sleaford Mods to Shelter, following on from their previous work with the charity – most recently raising funds earlier this year through a limited-edition T-shirt featuring Cold War Steve‘s artwork for single UK GRIM. Details of Shelter’s work can be found at https://www.shelter.org.uk/
“It’s amazing that Sleaford Mods have chosen to support Shelter again this year with the release of their cover of West End Girls,” says Sarah Stickings, Shelter’s Senior Community Fundraising Area Manager of the latest collaboration.
“We’re also grateful that they’ll be collecting donations to Shelter at their UK tour dates. The housing emergency means that more than 131,000 children will be homeless over Christmas. We’re outraged that this is still a reality in England and so thankful for the support from Sleaford Mods and their fanbase as we continue our fight for home this winter.”
Jason Williamson adds: “We wanted to do something for Shelter again in the run-up to Christmas so felt why not join up the two things. Their work all year round is so important and – unfortunately, considering the state of the country –needed more than ever. We are pleased proceeds from the single can go to them, and if you are coming to a show and can afford to make a donation, then Andrew and I really appreciate it too.”
Sleaford Mods played in Aotearoa/New Zealand in May of this year at sold-out shows in Wellington and Auckland.
“The Mods’ live show is a bewildering joy from start to finish, and the key factor is that you’ve never seen anything like it.” – NME
“It was downright jubilant, a blast of energy and a masterclass in how to keep an audience gripped.”
-RNZ (Powerstation NZ show review)
Sleaford Mods – So Trendy ft. Perry Farrell (Official Video)
WATCH: Sleaford Mods – Force 10 From Navarone
Stream / Download ‘Force 10 From Navarone’:
https://sleafordmods.ffm.to/
Sleaford Mods – UK Grim (Official Video)
Stream / Download ‘UK Grim’:
https://sleafordmods.ffm.to/
SLEAFORD MODS
UK GRIM Out Now
The album is available on Black Standard LP + Sliver LP via the indies.
The record is also be available on CD and cassette.
TRACKLIST
UK GRIM
D.I.Why
Force 10 From Navarone – Ft. Florence Shaw
Tilldipper
On The Ground
Right Wing Beast
Smash Each Other Up
Don
So Trendy – Ft. Perry Farrell & Dave Navarro
I Claudius
Pit 2 Pit
Apart From You
Tory Kong
Rhythms Of Class
Sleaford Mods
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