Album review: MILES HUNT & ERICA NOCKALLS – We Came Here To Work

July 20th, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

MILES HUNT & ERICA NOCKALLS - We Came Here To Work

Good Deeds Records [Release date 09.09.17]

I can’t say that I’m overly ‘au fait’ with The Wonder Stuff. They’ve always struck me as one of those ‘almost’ bands with a small but fanatical fan base, who – despite a number of hit albums and singles – have never quite captured the full imagination of the mainstream audience.

Since 2006, main protagonist Miles Hunt and Wonder Stuff violinist Erica Nockalls have toured the UK, Europe and the US performing acoustic shows including tracks from their 2007 debut Not An Exit and the follow up Catching More Than We Miss (2009), in addition to Wonder Stuff material and the occasional cover.

Their material is a little less frenetic than the Wonder Stuff, but cut from Hunt’s same acerbic writing cloth. So what you get is social comment, delivered in an indie acoustic based pop/rock format – Hunt’s nasally delivery and busking style of acoustic playing, sweetened by Nockalls’ ethereal harmony/backing vocals, and some exquisite violin/ strings.

I was reminded in many ways of Ian Prowse’s Pele (And Amsterdam). Light and breezy on the ear, but focus on the lyrics and Hunt is a man who probably voted against Brexit, and was in favour of Mr Corbyn at the last election. The title track ‘We Came Here To Work’, being a typically topical number.

Written and recorded between February and June this year, and having turned 50 Hunt has obviously decided to grow old disgracefully, once again sporting trademark shoulder length locks. Constructed largely in the form of their stage act – vocals, acoustic, and violin to the fore, We Came Here To Work will be well received by the converted. But like most artists these days, most sales are likely to come via the post gig ‘merch’ stall. ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)