London, UK based three-piece Psychedelic Rock band Black Helium has unveiled a cover version of Sparks’ “In My Family.” The track is taken from the forthcoming tribute album, “Kimono My House: 50 Years Later,” set to release on May 1st, 2024 via Pale Wizard Records. A 50th anniversary tribute to the classic LP by Sparks. The entire record recreating with a host of the best underground Hard Rock, Psych and Stoner bands.
Stream the track through the Youtube player below:
The breakthrough album by the ultimate cult band is turning 50!
Sparks first became a household name in the UK in 1974 when their iconic song “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us” hit number two in the singles chart. Their Top of the Pops BBC TV performance of the song is remembered vividly by everyone who saw it, bringing brothers Ron and Russell Mael into the front rooms of millions across the country that evening.
After two attempts of making it big in the early 70s with Bearsville Records albums “Sparks” and “A Woofer In Tweeter’s Clothing,” Ron and Russell Mael ditched the rest of the first Sparks lineup and moved to London. It was there that they signed to Island Records and recruited a new lineup that struck gold at the first time of asking with “Kimono My House.”
Chock full of witty but complex lyrics, sparkling guitars from Adrian Fisher and complimented perfectly by the rhythm section of Dinky Diamond and Martin Gordon, “Kimono My House,” is rightly heralded as a legendary ‘Glam’ Rock album. However, it’s the sheer quality of the songwriting, largely from Ron Mael and the soaring vocal performance of Russell Mael that surely ensures “Kimono My House” is heralded not only as a fan favourite Sparks album but also as one of the very best albums of the entire decade.
Now, on the 1st of May 2024 “Kimono My House” turns 50 and Pale Wizard Records pays tribute to this most special of albums the best way they know how. Presenting “Sparks – Kimono My House: 50 Years Later.” The whole album re-imagined by a roster of great Rock bands from around the world, including tracks from Phoxjaw, Krooked Tongue, Sergeant Thunderhoof and more.
Pre Order links: palewizardrecords.bandcamp.com // palewizard.bigcartel.com
Tracklist:
01. Phoxjaw – This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us
02. Tony Reed – Amateur Hour
03. Earl of Hell – Falling in Love with Myself Again
04. Josiah – Here in Heaven
05. Sergeant Thunderhoof – Thank God it’s Not Christmas
06. Krooked Tongue – Hasta Manana Monsieur
07. Silvery – Talent Is an Asset
08. Chaosmonaut – Complaints
09. Black Helium – In My Family 04:13
10. Besvärjelsen – Equator
11. Dis & Co – Barbecutie – Bonus Track
12. The Slightest Bits – Lost and Found – Bonus Track
About Pale Wizard records:
Pale Wizard Records is a labour of love for its co-founders Tim Hilleard and Dan Flitcroft, who release music that they love, and that they find interesting. In 2021 they released their first “50 Years Later” LP which was a tribute to the classic Alice Cooper album “Killer.” This was followed up in 2022 with David Bowie’s incredibly “Ziggy Stardust” and most recently with Budgie’s “Never Turn Your Back On A Friend” in 2023.
Pale Wizard Records intend for the “50 Years Later” series to continue paying tribute to amazing albums that deserve attention. They enlist a fantastic roster of hard-working bands from the Rock scene, some of which they’ve shared the stage with themselves, and others of which they’ve previously admired from afar. They aim to release at-least one “50 Years Later” LP per year, charting classic albums right through the 1970’s and beyond.
“Sparks – Kimono My House: 50 Years Later” is released May 1st 2024 and will be available on CD, limited edition vinyl and all major platforms.