The Wanton Bishops share “Don’t You Touch The Radio”

The Wanton Bishops share new single, a kaleidoscopic noisecape with infectious Blues-Rock riffs and Middle Eastern motifs. It’s the second single from upcoming album ‘Under The Sun’ due for release on 17th November via Gnu Roam, distributed via Kartel Music Group.

“Thematically, the track challenges the clichés historically expected of an ageing rock ‘n roller. This song is perhaps the most straightforward and ‘on the nose’ of any on the album. It’s important to remember that playing rock music is sometimes simply an expression of energy and it need not be a multi layer cake of subtleties; the rest of the album’s songs provide the depth and nuance. This song quite simply kicks open the doors for the other tracks”, comments Nader Mansour (AKA The Wanton Bishops) on the track.

The Wanton Bishops, though a band by every definition of the word, is primarily the vision of one eclectic man – Nader Mansour. A cultural anomaly, considering the fact that he was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Nader as lead singer is the very epitome of a howling blues man.

Under the Sun backstory

Following the release of debut album ‘Sleep With The Lights On’, a Delta blues record inspired by the likes of RL Burnside and Muddy Waters, Nader journeyed to America’s deep south to experience the roots of Mississippi blues. The experience spawned a musical epiphany, as he returned home to Lebanon a changed man with a newly inspired musical vision.

Nader’s music slowly emerged from the Delta swamps into the Lebanese mountains, and the music of The Wanton Bishops began to reflect Nader’s homeland, his people, and his personal journey. To quote Nader, “I’m finally getting to the core of the music I want to create, and that core is scarily confused, yet uniquely special, much like our own identity as Lebanese people living in Beirut, that eternal cultural crossroad”.

This experimentation is initially heard on the band’s EP ‘Nowhere Everywhere’, and has now become fully realised on forthcoming album ‘Under The Sun’, due for release 17th November on Gnu Roam, distributed via Kartel Music Group.

‘Under The Sun’ is an exploration of identity and ultimately a love letter to Beirut, capturing Nader’s kaleidoscopic life journey through a melting pot of musical influences; oriental, electronic, blues, rock n’ roll, psychedelic, surf, synth pop and dance. “It’s Lebanese Rock”, adds Nader, “a new genre, a blueprint for future music. It’s not fusion, it’s confusion, it’s not world music, it’s music from the world, for the world”.

“Don’t You Touch The Radio” is out now!

Pre-order the album here.