The Sound of TT

When it comes to TT, there are many iconic sights and sounds, like the roar of an engine or the emptying of a full bottle bin, but a local band is hoping their racing inspired hit can be the song of TT.

Manx punk rock band Mad Daddy, led by Dolyn Clucas-Morris, have produced the song’s video after what he said was ‘nine months of development hell’.

Like a lot of islanders, Dolyn said the band are fans of the TT, saying it’s ‘one of the most exciting times of the year’ and it is that great atmosphere which has given the inspiration for the band’s new song ‘Road Racer’.

Much like the racing that inspired it, ‘Road Racer’, recorded at Ballagroove Recording studio, is a fast paced absolute tune with the screeching of tyres and roar of the engines inspiring drummer Matt Twist and guitarist Liam Callow, while Dolyn’s singing and harmonica help to really encapsulate that TT spirit and the thrill of racing into just over three minutes of high octane music.

Accompanying the song is the brilliant new music video which features racer Matt Stevenson who came on board through producer Chip Gulland.

However, it was the production of the video which caused the most bother, Dolyn explained: ‘Originally I didn’t believe the video could happen, after a few enquiries, the cost of using any TT footage would make it impossible.

‘Then Chip Gulland (producer) suggested filming some stuff at the MGP, believing there’d be less red tape. It didn’t really turn out that way but we filmed some stuff at the paddock and pit lane with Matt Stevenson, and Chip got permission to use some onboard footage from Wiz Norton. So it was a start.

‘It became clear from the first cut that without proper footage of the bikes, essentially the real stars of the video, it wouldn’t work. After a think, I contacted Duke video and they kindly agreed to let us use footage from their Youtube pre-2007. There is some great stuff up there, but of course in 2007 there wasn’t much HD video around, so we had to work with low resolution footage, influencing the style of the video to be more gritty.

‘In November we shot some more footage of Liam and Matt (Guitar and Drums) but had to do without Bass player Elvis. The next cuts looked more promising, but there was still alot of refinement needed, just part of the process of editing. However the filmmakers at this point felt it was enough and didn’t have time to continue to work on it, but I was unwilling to sign off on it until it was right, so it was stuck unfinished for five more months. Eventually they got back in touch, did another cut, and then I re-did the intro myself last week for the final touches. In the end I think it was worth sticking with it, but I’m glad to be done with it.’

Despite those months of waiting, the video and the sing work brilliantly together and have hit a chord with fans, accumulating over 4,000 views in the first 24 hours, with Dolyn hoping it will grow even bigger in the run up to TT.

He said: ‘The ambition for the track is for it to really take off and become an anthem for the TT (and s100 & MGP) Manx Radio TT gave it a few spins last year credit it to them, but I hope they use it more, and would really love it to be on the ITV Coverage and TT+ too, basically everywhere.’

The band has also committed their track to 7″ vinyl which, even given the time to have it done, Dolyn said it’s a ‘really great feeling as a musician to have your music committed to a physical and permanent format, especially in this digital age’.

He said: ‘It’s a very slow and expensive process, but worth it. (This single took 7 months). We’ve done a 7″ single this time, which will go great on old Jukeboxes in biker bars around the world. It’s only limited to 100 copies though so pick one up quick. So yeah, basically we do vinyl releases as it is the best way to listen to the music and it gives people the opportunity to have a physical item and support the band better than a download ever could.’

Dolyn also asked us to give a bit shoutout to Open Water Films.

You can find out more about the band on their Facebook page or head to their website for merch and the vinyl.

What Next?

Having spent a couple of years promoting their last album, achieving national radio play on BBC 6 Music multiple times (including a being a spin from Iggy Pop), brilliant reviews in the press, playing headlines gigs across the UK and last year supporting Primal Scream, the band is in a bit of a transition phase as bassist James ’Elvis Palooka’ Rowbottom quit the band.

But now, plans are underway for a second album and the band is looking to get back to playing more gigs again soon, but as Dolyn said, ‘if Road Racer blows up we could be back sooner rather than later’.