The Mellotronics formed in 2017 with the intention of turning Micko Westmoreland’s songwriting skills into a dynamic live prospect, and released their debut album 1/2 Dove 1/2 Pigeon in 2020. The new incarnation of The Mellotronics sees Micko’s rabble-rousing vocals and spiky, agitational guitar work augmented perfectly by the crack squad of drummer Jan Noble and Budge Magraw on bass (both previously from The Cesarians). Paul Cuddeford (Boomtown Rats) moonlights when in town.
Since then they’ve been busy cutting their teeth with a series of shows around the capital and beyond, making return visits to the 100 Club in Oxford Street and earning multiple requests for support slots from acts as established as Evan Dando (Lemonheads), David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Blue Orchids, Sheep on Drugs, The Television Personalities and The Monochrome Set. Bringing a new dimension of sharp and economic post-punk/new wave attitude to the diverse Westmoreland songbook, they’ve been already been favourably compared to The Jam, Pil, Wire, XTC and Pulp as well as the mean, lean but undeniably powerful sound of Idles or Shame.
From the new album The Trinity’s press release
Following a string of singles investigating illicit affairs and “proper jobs” – would you believe it – Micko & The Mellotronics will return with their third album ‘The Trinity’ this summer.
Set for release on 12th June, ‘The Trinity’ strikes a balance between the ambiguous and the definitive. “The title can mean many things, and the music reflects that too,” explains Micko. Sonically, the record shifts from track to track, place to place moving between ’70s new wave to more modern influences with a variety of shades in between, somehow retaining a thematically consistent voice. Lyrically it draws on mid-life experience, reflections on childhood in Leeds and politics with a small “p”.
Micko was inspired by a former art tutor’s paintings, which would later become the cover artwork. The frontman was drawn to his images of children’s TV show character Sooty mysteriously surrounded by deities, conjuring ideas of rebirth, recovery and an excavation of the past. ‘The Trinity’ mixes those heavier themes with explorations of growing up.
“Micko & The Mellotronics paint a sonic picture with your ability to think and understand things, especially complicated ideas,” shared former producer for the Rolling Stones Chris Kimsey, who serves as executive producer on the record, “The raw, honest, emotive voice carries a posture and authenticity that resonate deeply, painting vivid pictures – the allure of city life and the comfort of your own front room.”
‘The Trinity’ was also made while Micko was supporting his mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, which became the dominant backdrop. “‘The Trinity’ is a special record for me,” comments Micko, “as I found myself pushing further into the writing and the mysterious characters that inhabit the songs as a refuge, in order to remain afloat rather than adrift as the unstable moorings of family past became ever more present.”
The album was recorded at home with contributions from Paul Cuddeford on lead guitar/E bow who augmented Micko’s compositions and contributed towards arrangements. The dynamic rhythm section is provided by the inventive yet solid Budge Magraw and Jan Noble (both Ex-Cesarians). Other performances across the album come from Arnulf Lindner (Ed Harcourt/Richard Ashcroft) who contributes a magnificent string arrangement to “When I’m Dead”, and Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey) who brings the record to a mystical climax with the outro to “Mystery of the Night”.
Discography
2026: The Trinity
Pre-order now
The Trinity lyrics
2023: Le Vice Anglais
Buy CD from Amazon
Le Vice Anglais lyrics
2020: 1/2 Dove – 1/2 Pigeon
Buy digital download on Bandcamp
Buy vinyl on Amazon
1/2 Dove – 1/2 Pigeon lyrics