Men of Stone

In the annals of Bristol music history Glaxo Babies could have a book and a zone of greatness all of their own. Singles and EP’s such as ‘Christine Keeler’ and ‘This Is Your Life’, along with the seminal ‘Avon Calling’ compilation John Peel recorded session version of ‘It’s Irrational’, stormed the zeitgeist of late 70’s, early 80’s UK post punk. 

Four decades on, in 2025, another great leap forward brings the story to a stunning new destination with the vinyl and digital release on Bristol Archive Records in conjunction with their own imprint Liberated Sound Development of Men of Stone, the band’s first new album in some forty years. 

It’s a major chapter telling of reinvention, restructuring and in no way taking stock. For this missive the Glaxo’s use not one, but two new vocalists adding their own voice to a collection of songs mainly written by long-time Glaxonian and original guitarist, Dan Catsis. Dan was also a massive part of nationally recognised Bristol luminaries, The Pop Group and Maximum Joy.

Other Bristol notables come into the new material’s mix with Steve Bush, main-man of former NME faves Essential Bop, contributing lyrics to the darkness descends vibe of second side opener ‘I Don’t Want to be Loved’, while Massive Attack producer and collaborator Neil Davidge adds a sonic sound-bed sheen to the track.

Two of the new band members have an important Bristol back story. Bassist Steve Street was a centre-piece of studio recording at his SAM set-up in the city, and drummer Jamie Hill played with early Nellee Hooper/later Roni Size drummer linked percussion powerhouse outfit Mouth and later with ex Pop Group/Cortinas/Clash driven Virgin 80’s act Head.

Men of Stone is a record that nestles right in there with Glaxo’s earlier classics. It distils their past and present with plenty of other new goodies and angles to appreciate. You know it’s going to play a blinder from the full on, visceral thrill guitar attack of opening track ‘Living the Dream’. This is side-bar alt-rock heaven, a heady blend of classic LA howling blackout in a red room street love and hate meeting grunge in a dark alleyway. 

There’s no time to recover. Next up, ‘Waiting for Something’ throws an edgy set of questions that will have a problem getting answers. This 2025 version of the Glaxo’s throws curveballs in every direction. Something is always happening. Vox Number One, Jim Johnson ex Monk and Canatella, has well and truly introduced himself too.

The more reflective ‘Give Me’ and ‘Anymore’ are the chance of Vox 2, Adam Tongue, to speak some truths. The many guitar colourings that Catsis has in his repertoire palette are well on show to hear, on this pairing and the atmospherically powerful side closer Drifting.

The second side of the album ploughs some group brand and ‘Bristol Sound’ terrain going back in time a little. ‘I Don’t Want to be Loved’ sets the scene garnished by very on-point swirly trumpet, followed by the harem scarem, watching the detectives, kaleidoscope glory that is ‘Stop Me Now’. This is a ride that no-one wants to get off from.

As a title track ‘Men of Stone’ does what it says on the proverbial tin. The moving finger points at the black hole of shallowness and stubbornness. The chiming roar of Catsis’ guitar meshes with a band on fire. Album closer, the dramatic ‘Change is Forever’, pursues a film before your eyes and ears vendetta against anyone refusing to sign up to the maxim. This is Glaxo Babies at their most cinematic and it’s nothing short of magnificent. Chaos and Order wrapped up into a complete One.

This album is so relevant that the pleasure of it almost hurts. Let it bleed into you.