After a triumphant return earlier this year with their long-lost debut album, 'Songs For The Small Places', indie-pop stalwarts Giant Killers are back with a brand new single. 'When This Time is Over' via Little Genius Recordings, marking another significant milestone for a band that’s been three decades in the making.
For those new to the Giant Killers saga, Jamie Wortley and Michael Brown, the dynamic duo behind the band, were first signed to MCA Records in the mid-90s. Despite releasing two singles, their album was shelved, leaving their dedicated fans in the lurch. Fast forward nearly thirty years, and the band’s music is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Their January release of 'Songs For The Small Places' has been met with widespread acclaim, with critics praising its timeless appeal and deft songwriting.
The first single from their debut album, 'When This Time is Over', has been released digitally across all platforms as part of a unique Double A side, Double B side EP. What makes this release even more special is the band’s commitment to social causes. A quarter of all proceeds from every sale through Bandcamp will be donated to the suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), underscoring the band’s dedication to making a positive impact.
The creation of 'When This Time is Over' has a fascinating backstory. It was the first song Jamie and Michael wrote as Giant Killers, composed on a guitar once owned by the legendary Butch Vig. The guitar was entrusted to their friend Simon Gunning, who managed Vig’s later band, Garbage. In their early days, the band would hang out in Simon’s office after hours, drawn by the warmth and the hope that Vig’s magic might inspire their music. As Michael and Jamie recall, “We picked it up in the hope his magic might rub off from his fingers and onto our musical endeavors.”
The buzz around Giant Killers isn’t just about nostalgia. Their 90s sound has struck a chord with today’s music press, earning accolades for its universal and timeless themes. As Jamie and Michael put it, “Our three-decades-long wish is to see if the rest of the world agrees with us, and we’ve been taken aback by all the superlatives heaped upon our music.”
Exciting times lie ahead for Giant Killers. They’ve just announced that they’ll be opening the main stage at the Shiiine On Festival in November. This isn’t their first brush with fame; they’ve previously opened for Blur on their Country House tour, toured with Dr. Robert (Blow Monkeys), and Nick Heyward, and made memorable appearances on shows like C4's The Big Breakfast and the Patrick Kielty TV show.
Despite a history dotted with near-misses and humorous mix-ups (like being mistaken for Boyzone during a Capital Radio promo appearance), Giant Killers have always been active in the music scene. Individually and together, they’ve graced stages from Glastonbury to Hyde Park’s Proms in the Park, sharing the spotlight with icons like Lionel Richie and Squeeze.
As Giant Killers gear up for a string of single releases throughout 2024, starting with 'When This Time is Over', their story is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the timeless power of music. Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering them for the first time, their journey from the 90s to now is one worth following.