Dead Boys (EP)

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Dead Boys
EP by
Sam Fender
Released20 November 2018
Recorded2017–2018
Genre
Length17:34
LabelPolydor Records
ProducerBramwell Bronte
Sam Fender chronology
Dead Boys
(2018) 		Hypersonic Missiles
(2019)
Singles from Dead Boys
  1. "Leave Fast"
    Released: 14 June 2018[2]
  2. "Dead Boys"
    Released: 14 August 2018[3]
  3. "That Sound"
    Released: 22 October 2018[4]

Dead Boys is the debut extended play by English musician, Sam Fender. The EP was released on 20 November 2018 through Polydor Records.[5][6][7][8] The EP includes the singles "Leave Fast", "Dead Boys" and "That Sound" which were later included on Fender's debut studio album Hypersonic Missiles (2019).

Background[edit]

Sam Fender grew up in North Shields in North Tyneside.[9] He began listening to Bruce Springsteen's albums after his brother introduced him to the albums Darkness on the Edge of Town and Born to Run. At the age of 13 he began to write his own music inspired by Springsteen as well as Oasis and Joni Mitchell.[10] He started to perform open mic nights with his brother where he would cover Jimi Hendrix songs as well as noughties indie rock songs. After he turned 18 he began performing paid gigs at restaurants.[11]

At the age of 18, he was spotted performing by Ben Howard's manager who quickly took him on as a client.[12] Following brief acting roles on the shows Vera and Wolfblood, Fender released his debut single "Play God" on 30 March 2017. It was Fender's first single to chart, reaching number 51 in Scotland and 89 on the UK Singles Chart.[13] "Play God" was featured on the soundtrack for FIFA 19.[14]

In 2018, Fender was placed on BBC's Sound of 2018 shortlist alongside Billie Eilish, Khalid, Lewis Capaldi and winner Sigrid.[15] He released his single "Dead Boys" which was premiered as Annie Mac's Hottest Record in the World.[16] Fender released his debut EP, Dead Boys, on 20 November 2018, featuring the album tracks "Dead Boys", "That Sound" and "Leave Fast".[17] Alongside the EP's release, he embarked on a UK headline tour which included 3 nights at "Omeara" in London.[18]

Talking about the EP, Rough Trade wrote, "Dead Boys deals explicitly with male suicide and mental health issues, and has caused outpourings of emotion among a growing band of followers", noted the "slower, plantive chords" of Leave Fast and "spiky riffing" on Poundshop Kardashians, and said that "That Sound wriggles and bangs through a melody that supports the big-hearted idea that music keeps Sam Fender on the straight and narrow."[19]

In 2019, Fender won the Critics' Choice Award at the Brit Awards.[20]

Critical reception[edit]

Dominic Lee from The Courier, gave the EP a positive review, stating, "The Prelude opens with a beautiful arpeggio guitar segment overlayed with cascading strings and Sam’s distant vocals crying out in an almost hymn-like introduction before the guitar deepens in the transition to the title track. [...] Fender shows real lyrical talent on this track, resonating with issues that many men- and people in general- are often reluctant to talk about and bringing them to the forefront of his music."[21]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Sam Fender

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Dead Boys" (Prelude)Bramwell Bronte2:00
2."Dead Boys"Bronte3:21
3."Spice"Bronte2:21
4."Poundshop Kardashians"Bronte2:39
5."That Sound"Bronte3:25
6."Leave Fast"Bronte3:47

Charts[edit]

Chart (2018) Peak
position
UK Vinyl Albums (OCC)[22] 37

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Country Release date Format Label
United Kingdom 20 November 2018
Polydor

Universal

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Heckman, Hella (12 December 2018). "Album Review: 'Dead Boys − EP' by Sam Fender". KRUI-FM. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Leave Fast – Single by Sam Fender". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Dead Boys – Single by Sam Fender". Apple Music. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Sam Fender shares soaring new single 'That Sound' ahead of debut EP release". NME. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Dead Boys - EP by Sam Fender". Apple Music. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Dead Boys - EP". Spotify. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Dead Boys EP Vinyl". store.universalmusic.com. Retrieved 16 September 2019.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Dead Boys EP – Sam Fender | Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  9. ^ Hutchinson, Kate (3 August 2019). "Sam Fender: 'I don't want to cling on to the "class hero" thing'". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  10. ^ Greene, Andy (2 August 2019). "Could Sam Fender Be the British Bruce Springsteen?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  11. ^ Johnston, Kathleen (31 July 2019). "Sam Fender: 'The negative effects of greedy politicians have haunted the North East for years'". GQ. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  12. ^ Mitchinson, Rory (6 September 2019). "'I want to sell out a show at St. James' Park before I die'". Interview. Newcastle United F.C. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  13. ^ Reilly, Nick (14 January 2019). "Sam Fender debuts new single 'Play God' and announces UK tour". NME. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  14. ^ "FIFA 19 Soundtrack, featuring Childish Gambino, Gorillaz, Logic and more". Electronic Arts. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  15. ^ Duke, Simon (20 September 2019). "Who is Sam Fender? Brit Awards Critics Choice winner set for number 1 album". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  16. ^ Trendell, Andrew (8 October 2018). "Sam Fender talks mental health, tackling 'toxic masculinity' and his new single 'Dead Boys'". NME. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  17. ^ O'Sullivan, James (19 November 2018). "EP Review: Sam Fender − 'Dead Boys EP'". When the Horn Blows. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  18. ^ Yates, Jonathan (15 August 2018). "Sam Fender announces London Omeara show on UK tour". MyLondon. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Sam Fender - Dead Boys - Tape". Rough Trade. Retrieved 16 September 2019.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "Sam Fender Wins Critics' Choice Award!". Brit Awards. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  21. ^ "Album Review: Sam Fender – Dead Boys EP". The Courier Online. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  22. ^ "Official Vinyl Albums Chart Top 40 | 23 November 2018 - 29 November 2018". Official Charts. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  23. ^ "British album certifications – Sam Fender – Dead Boys". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
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