Debut album release - Innocents And Thieves for London newcomers Black Poets: Stephen J. Good (Guitar) Billy Randall (Bass) Gerard Lecain (Vocals/Guitar/Songs) Ben Mückenschnabl (Drums) Black Poets are a post punk band from London with a dark yet powerful sound, somewhat ethereal slightly quirky full of monotone details, glossy sweepy interweaving guitars, melodic mid-scale basslines and NYC punk style drums. A cocktail of U2 and The Chameleons.

The members of Black Poets have created a soundscape that directly references the course Hackney streets they live in, from underneath a railway line in Bethnal Green since the beginning of 2008. Fast forward a year and the band is about to release its debut album entitled Innocents And Thieves – a phrase that Gerard, the band’s lyricist/vocalist, likened to what he sees as the everyday boundaries of society.

The album was produced using an array of 70s and 80s analogue equipment by Black Poets and Pete Abbott with mastering by John Davis (U2, Led Zeppelin).

With a passing visual resemblance to 1950/1960s British rockers meets modern day New York vintage throwaways, Black Poets brings with them the appeal of boys in leather jackets; playing soaring early 80s style new wave with guitars. Interweaving the darkness of 80s postpunk and new wave with traditional early 1980s New York City dance music in places, Interpol style vocals and conceptual monotone and soaring guitars gives Black Poets an exciting originality.

Although there is no doubt the New York sound forms a massive influence on the band, so is it true of melodic alt outfits such as Sweden’s Logh and Kansas’ The Appleseed Cast but with an edge of the sparkle of 80s British acts like Kitchens of Distinction and The Smiths.

BP’s long-player features 1980s influences married to contemporary indie production values. Stephen J. Good’s guitar leaves the listener not with the monotone cocktails of Lecain’s structural guitar parts but with the virtuosity of more traditional old school acts such as Sabbath and Jeff Beck. It’s this fusion that separates Black Poets from their contemporaries.

Black Poets are trying to cut an enormous sound through the terrain ahead of them. And having cut the record almost entirely using 70s and 80s analogue technology to remain authentic has given Black Poets some personal originality. There is no doubt that in Black Poets there is a bond between the band that somehow indefinably links each member to the others. The band’s friendship, trust and confidence in each other is somewhat reassuring, with all members on completely the same wavelength.

Black Poets have been steadily converting the audience at every gig they play over the two years they have existed and have clearly enjoyed every second. “Live is where we shine. It’s the most enjoyable part of being in a band. Getting to play your music as often as possible to as many people as possible gives you a real buzz.” Comments the band’s guitarist Stephen J Good.

Black Poets will be bringing their blend of darkwave gloss and post punk to the British masses through March, April and May 2009, already been booked to be a showcase act of US music magazine Filter at the East London venue 93 Feet East, as well as being booked for the Proud Gallery clubnight Bangers & Mash. An appearance at the 2009 Liverpool Soundcity festival in May has also been confirmed.

The debut album “Innocents And Thieves” will be released in May 2009 and was produced and engineered by Pete Abbott (engineer Editors/Guillemots/Athlete/Spiritualized) and mastered by John Davis (U2/Led Zeppelin/Bloc Party/Kaiser Chiefs). Available on limited edition CD, CD, and digital download.

The debut and second singles Point of Reason (Radio Edit) and Mistakes are available to download for free from the Black Poets myspace. www.Myspace.com/BlackPoets

You can also go direct here for download: http://www.Musicglue.com/BlackPoets