Headgit

The appearance of Githead and the release of their debut EP Headgit in 2004 surprised many, not only because of the unlikely 'front line' of Wire's Colin Newman (guitar/vocals), Minimal Compact's Malka Spigel (bass, vocals) and Scanner's Robin Rimbaud (guitar), but also due to the band's cyclic, hypnotic funkiness, not to mention the outfit's avant-pop sensibility.

The band's genesis was in the proverbial 'one off' as part of the celebrations of Swim's 10th anniversary, but it quickly became apparent that the band was more than a mere collection of individuals and that it was able to generate its own style with an ease that escapes many better-starred collaborations.

Initially 'drummerless', the band wrote and rehearsed in Swim's otherwise over-cramped studio from the outset, thus guaranteeing that all outbreaks of creative genius could be instantly recorded. This meant that as well as building up a repertoire, the band was also recording towards an end of released material, and subsequently able to fairly rapidly develop enough finished material to enable selections to be made for release.

Reviews:

Offers us one of the loveliest surprises to come from any new wave 'survivors' in a long time. Both sober and concise, this mini album once again displays the kind of pop simplicity that graced Colin Newman's solo albums (Commercial Suicide or A-Z) without resorting to gratuitous nostalgia. In short, the fly is back in the ointment.

- Sgt. Kabuki, Voxer magazine

This is a beguiling debut: these guys ain't gits, let 'em into your headspace.

- Ben Murphy, DJ magazine

Unusually accessible, even funky... To Have And To Hold and Profile summoning echoes of the industrial dub grooves of PiL's Metal Box... On Reset, the result has the same texture and simplicity, as Neu!'s majestic motorik exercise E-Musik.

- Andy Gill, The Independent

When they're good—as on Reset and Profile—they're astonishingly good, both angular & polished.

- James Snodgrass, NME

Headgit is primarily intended as a 'taster' for an album scheduled for early 2005. Whatever—it's more than strong enough to stand on its own. Although Newman's deadpan vocal style and recognisable guitar sound recall Wire, Headgit is more playful than the parent group's recent album, Send. It sounds brighter and more relaxed.

- Mia Clarke, The WIRE Magazine

Six near-perfect slices of pulsating, rhythmic music that burrow deep into your consciousness, keeping you hooked throughout, but still providing enough depth for the EP to hold up during heavy rotation.

- Craig Grannell, Wireviews

Cult classic of tomorrow.

- Q Magazine

Tracklisting: