French post-punk supergroup VANILLA BLUE have announced the release of their debut album for the New Year.
Taking their name from a track by Chicago punk legends Naked Raygun and hailing from the eastern city of Saint-Étienne, the quartet feature members of three of that city's best bands: Zero Gain, Protex Blue and Sixpack, but with a collective CV that alights on more than 50 more.
Taking their lead from the ferocious melodic punk tones of Hüsker Dü that have been such an influence on Zero Gain, the band have tempered the sound still more with the power-pop licks of the Replacements and Big Star.
Calling on French punk legend Pit Samprass, formerly of Burning Heads to produce alongside engineer Alex Borel, the quartet laid down the 11 tracks that make up Dark Cities in seven days, including the mixing!
Check out the first single 'Dance With Me'...
Released through Nineteen Something, Dangerhouse Skylab and Bad Health Records, Dark Cities is available to pre-order on clear or green vinyl, with CD and download included.