By Tina Teresi
With this single line, I was hooked. It’s quite possible that you’ve already heard the new single from the acclaimed UK band The Hours, “Ali in the Jungle”. Before I go praising one of my new favorite bands, let me give you some background.
The Hours hail from the UK and have played with prestigious rock bands such as U2, Oasis, and Kasabian. Their four song digital EP Ali and the Jungle was released on January 26th through Hickory/RED and is now available on iTunes. The Hours came together when singer-songwriter-producer Antony Geen, whose resume includes stints with Elastica and Pulp, was inspired to write songs “that are honest blood and guts on the floor” after seeing a Patti Smith performance. Genn rang up keyboardist Martin Slattery, his previous bandmate in The Mescaleros, Joe Strummer’s post-Clash band, and The Hours formed shortly thereafter. After experiencing The Hours’ music, Genn’s good friend Damien Hirst, the controversial post-modern UK artist, threw his support behind the band, developing a clock’s-eyed skull “logo” for The Hours’ records and on-stage set.
Their hit single “Ali in the Jungle” is featured in the new short film from Nike called “Human Chain”. The 60-second film, launched on February 12th through Nike’s Just Do It Facebook Community, is being aired over the Olympic broadcasts on NBC and ESPN as well as other major stations, including basketball coverage. Nike states that the Human Chain video “ celebrates the intensity, dynamism and determination that connects athletes in all sports and motivates them to inspiring performances.” It features athletic superstars Oscar Pistorius, Sergio Aguero, Deron Williams, Maria Sharapova, Mike Spinner, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, LaDainian Tomlinson and Lance Armstrong along with less recognized athletes to show us that they combine everyone into one unbroken chain of movement.
Watch the video here:
After you watch “Human Chain”, I’m deeming it MANDATORY to watch the video for “Ali in the Jungle”.
This highly detailed stop-motion video, directed by Swedish music video and film director Jonas Odell (“Take Me Out”/Franz Ferdinand, “Windows in the Sky”/U2, “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked”/Ida Maria), is phenomenal; it blew my mind! The song “Ali in the Jungle” was inspired by the famous 1974 World Heavyweight Boxing Championship between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, fast paced and filled with hard-hitting hooks. Make sure to visit their MySpace page and read the ‘About The Hours’ section. If none of these other details have sold you, their bio will. I thank The Hours for being true, real, non-poser musicians as well as creating some of the best music I’ve heard so far this year!
Nevermind The Posers 