Error: Contact form not found.
What is it about the Crocodile that make us want to immortalise them in song? Never Smile at a Crocodile, See You Later Alligator (after while crocodile), Crocodile Rock spring to mind, but it doesn’t end there, with artists as varied as T-Rex, The Hollies, Underworld and XTC all having written songs about the ubiquitous reptile. Now Looch Lewis & The Press Gangsters are about to release their own tribute to this scaly, semiaquatic marvel.
According to Lewis, “I have always had a deep fear and fascination with crocodiles and had been trying for years to incorporate that into a lyric. Recently I was watching a documentary which explained that a croc regulates its body temperature in the heat by keeping its mouth open ie. the “yawning” that is referred to in the song. Crocodile is essentially a love song, an apology and a lament, but it’s also about trying to live in the moment and maintain unpredictability…. just like our friend the saltwater crocodile.”
With no drums or electric guitars, Crocodile sees the band in “stripped back” mode, following the swampy rock and roll of their previous single Jessie. Lewis says, “this was not necessarily a deliberate shift in style. I’m very proud of this song and feel it stands up on its own with minimal instrumentation”.
Crocodile is the third taste of Looch Lewis & The Press Gangsters’ debut album, which is due to land later in the year, and we reckon it’s his finest song to date. After years playing a support role in other bands (Lewis is also the drummer for country rockers Dave Favours & the Roadside Ashes and acoustic guitarist and backing singer for veteran bush folk punks, Handsome Young Strangers), Looch is beginning to leave a serious mark with his own material.
Single out July 24.
