Check out the reviews from our debut single "Mexicola Bare Essentials"
"Mexicola Bare Essentials is considerably more angular / electro pop than would normally be my cuppa
tea but Im actually surprised how much im liking it. Hayley Mitchells voice is up to the job
and the song itself is very catchy giving this top 40 potential with the right radio support."- International DJ magazine
"I like it, it’s a very interesting project, looking forward to hear more from them."- BBC Radio 1
"Manchester based ‘Dead Wasps’ debut single ‘Mexicola Bare Essentials’ is a fine example of electro pop with a funky bass that will stay in your head for days. Hayley Mitchells sultry voice sitting nicely on top. Don’t be surprised if you hear the chant ‘Roll a J, and drink some wine’ at clubs home and abroad this year." - The Skinny Magzine
"The original single is magical and should be a huge mainstream hit."
Charted at 8 w/b 15th January 2007. - Bestival Radio 87.7FM
"This tune is bangin !!" - Freeze FM
"Classy doesn’t even begin to describe it - cold showers optional but advisable. Those with suitably whetted appetites are heartily recommended to head straight for their my space site at www.myspace.com/deadwasps and check out the simply alluring ’Precious Time’ - a deceptively distracting nugget that should by rights be one of the surprise soundtracks to this years festivals - think primarily New Order and the early 90’s Manchester club scene fused succulently with prime time Massive Attack and Everything but the Girl - killer stuff."- Losing Today magazine
"I can see this becoming a club-land favourite" - Toxic Pete website
Dead Wasps are Gaz Wildsmith and Hayley Mitchell. This Manchester based duo write driving beats with beautiful melodies and strive to bring a new and unforgettable slant on the electronic genre. Gaz founded the band and after a few line-up experiments, finally found the right mix with Hayley, a singer with a knack for writing dark lyrics and the two set about to write and perform the music they love.
Often surmised as a band that hark back to the glorious Madchester/Hacienda days - the era was inspirational and can be heard - however these pesky Wasps have more sides than a decagon and have set about using them all to assault the senses.
In the beginning the duo – surrounded by the eerie beauty of an old renovated mental asylum where they lived – began writing songs and playing live on the Staffordshire music scene. This location bore tracks such as “Mexicola Bare Essentials” – pays homage to the insane world of insomnia, prescription drugs and losing a grip on reality. “Ward 21” was written about the asylum and its dark past and “H Bomb” occurred after a bad dream about Heroin.
With a half written album Dead Wasps upped sticks and moved to Manchester where they quickly gained a reputation for exciting and energetic shows. They secured a slot on at the 2008 In the City Event – Manchester’s official industry music week and released their debut single Mexicola Bare Essentials. The reviews from the national press were exciting and the limited edition copies sold out.
"Dead Wasps debut single ‘Mexicola Bare Essentials’ is a fine example of electro pop with a funky bass that will stay in your head for days. Hayley Mitchells sultry voice sitting nicely on top. Don’t be surprised if you hear the chant ‘Roll a J, and drink some wine’ at clubs home and abroad this year." - The Skinny Magazine
"The original single is magical and should be a huge mainstream hit." Charted at 8 - Bestival Radio 87.7FM
The self titled debut album was released just before the band embarked on their first US tour in May 2008 where they covered nearly half the country. Taking their unusual blend of house, dance, electro pop to a new an eager audience was an amazing experience and one that moved the band forward it terms of fan base and self belief. The tour was a success and the band had found an appreciation for their sound.
Whilst in America MTV asked to use the Wasps follow up single “Cherries” for use on the MTV Movie Awards and of course the band were chuffed. This then followed with the MTV Music Awards later on in the year and the link with MTV has continued right up to the present day. Talks of usage on a number of shows will materialise throughout 2009 and with a new album "4 days of dirt" just released in June '09, things couldn’t be better.
The new album shows a shift in gear to a cleaner, more grown up sound. The production is lavish yet simplistic. The vocals are less but more, leaving Hayley’s voice to shine through and the beats are just as banging but the strings are more emotive. This is a journey showing not just a musical one, but a personal one.
Dead Wasps went back to the US to promote the album and follow up from last year this June, taking in radio slots on the award winning Soul Cole Show,and Hunnypot Radio in LA. They also played prestigious slots in Vegas at The Mirage, The Cat Club in LA, Soda Bar in San Diego, Tiger bar in Portland and numerous other venues on the west coast, pulling in new admirers along the way.
Feeling like their work in the States was unfinished, Hayley and Gaz are heading back to the US in September '09 for more shows and are looking at adding the college circuit to their list of targets this fall.
Ahoi, and thanx for adding! All the best, d ------------------------------- Out now: Dj Delicious & Till West - NYPD including remixes by Funkerman and Micha Moor! Out on Phunkwerk Records & Flamingo Recordings
******* newness ******* hey, how was your summer? We are finally ready to start promoting my 'I Surrender' single with my album, 'Ella Trip' coming right after -yey!! What d'ya think to the video teaser? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsyGWtW5xQY
was hoping ya mite check out some chav punk!! haha if ya do like us and your on facebook , please hook us up on there too, ull find the link to it on our homepage.. Hope youve got some exciting stuff happenin... ;) Rock on, The Kayas x
