For the uninitiated, Sons of Joy are Reverend Matthew Simpkins (Assistant Curate to the Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry and Chaplain to the Bishop of Chelmsford) and Mr Daniel Merrill (one third of free folk explorers DEAD RAT ORCHESTRA).
With Dan spending much of his time in Rehab*, this is a rare opportunity to experience the righteous fury of a duo whose records have been described as:
“A full-blown distorted fire and brimstone rant that one might expect to encounter in the deepest depths of the American Bible Belt… like the Salvation Army from Hell.” – Maverick
“Lou Reed, Nick Cave and backwoods preachers are all in there, bless ‘em. Magnificently loopy.” – fRoots
“It’s a visceral, rough hewn ride – foot stompy and fuzzy around the edges. Equally spooky and sublime, it’s hard to know whether these Sons will save you or send you to the pits of Hell. But whatever the final judgement, it’s sure to leave you in a better place. Amen!” – R2
“It is indeed folk music. But it’s screeching, sawing, tortured folk music of the best kind. Of the kind, in fact, that would happily tear the still-beating heart from the shattered ribcage of the jelly-spined folk pop which sullies the name these days, and eat it in front of its grieving family. Awesome.” – Song by Toad
