Watch Giddy Stratospheres: 
here
Screw the Arctic Monkeys - those of us unblinded by intense hype have been well aware that the best band to come out of Sheffield after 1978 is the dazzlingly glamourous Long Blondes. Taking much inspiration from Pulp themselves, the LBs were the country's finest unsigned band until they finally joined forces with Rough Trade last year. Kate Jackson, Dorian Cox, Reenie Hollis, Emma Chaplin and Screech Louder formed the band with the aim of creating a "fantasy pop group" taking in elements from Nancy Sinatra, Diana Dors and Barbara Windsor. "Sexy and literate, flippant and heartbreaking all at once."
With the release of their excellent debut album Someone To Drive You Home, it was blatantly obvious that they had totally succeeded in their aims. Combining glamour with sardonic lyrics and naggingly catchy hooks, the album soon made its way into our favourites of 2006. And until we heard the quite frankly astounding Once And Never Again, Giddy Stratospheres, a song we frantically Shazam-ed in a club in 2004, was our choice track so we're delighted that it's getting properly re-released. It'll be out on February 5th alongside two new B-sides produced by Erol Alkan.
The band play Popstarz at The Scala on February 9th, the NME tour at The Astoria on February 20th and support Kaiser Chiefs in March at Shepherd's Bush Empire.
