It’s been eleven years since the last The Good The Bad & The Queen album. The Damon Albarn fronted supergroup – made up of Paul Simonon, former bassist of The Clash, Tony Allen: Afrobeat pioneer and The Verve’s Simon Tong – was formed back in 2007, releasing their self-titled debut the same year to much critical acclaim. At the time, The Good The Bad & The Queen was an art project, not a band: something that captured a specific moment in time, reflecting the discontent of Britain at war. A one off.
But 2018 finds the project reformed, drawn together by another tumultuous period in British history, to create a collection of songs reflecting on what it is to be English.
“The referendum was the spark of something”, explains Albarn. “A pilgrimage back to my own country.”
We met up with all four members of the group at Damon’s Studio 13 in west London, to find out what it’s like making an album which celebrates England when we’re living in such uncertain times. Watch our video interview above.
Merrie Land, the second album by The Good, The Bad & The Queen is out, November 16.