DOWN WITH BORING.
ISSUE 74 · MARCH 2023 · READDORK.COM
Gorillaz
Gracie Abrams
INDEX.
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Issue 74 | March 2023 | readdork.com | Down With Boring
What’s more Dork than interviewing a bunch of cartoon characters and refusing to ever break ‘the bit’? Probably not much. That deep dive into the mad world of Gorillaz is just one of the quite frankly iconic looks we’re serving this issue, complete with an exclusive Jamie Hewlett illustrated cover, no less. Beyond the cult confessions and character-driven mayhem, their new album ‘Cracker Island’ is one of the best modern pop records you’ll hear all year. And no, Murdoc hasn’t bribed us to say that. He couldn’t afford us. But if we’re talking iconic, you won’t go far wrong with Gracie Abrams, either. With a much-anticipated, practically-begged-for new album recorded alongside The National’s Aaron Dessner at Long Pond studios, it’s very easy to draw the lines to show exactly why this is one to get us more than a little excited. It delivers too, big time. And then you’ve our third cover stars. Shame remain one of the most brilliantly sharp bands the UK has produced in years. With their third album ‘Food For Worms’, they’re as vibrant and exciting as ever. And that’s before we start talking about the Phoebe Bridgers feature they assure us is definitely real. Honest it is. Now, if you excuse us, we’re off to ask Matty Healy why Lewis Capaldi can play ‘Antichrist’ at a 1975 show, but he can’t. He better have a good excuse. The state of it.
‘Editor’ @stephenackroyd
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Editor Stephen Ackroyd Deputy Editor Victoria Sinden
#74. MARCH 2023.
Associate Editor Ali Shutler Contributing Editors Jamie Muir, Martyn Young Scribblers Abigail Firth, Connor Fenton, Finlay Holden, Jack Press, Jake Hawkes, Jamie MacMillan, Jessica Goodman, Melissa Darragh, Neive McCarthy, Sam Taylor Snappers Eddie Whelan, Jamie Macmillan, Jordan Curtis Hughes, Lewis Vorn, Patrick Gunning, Rory Barnes, Sarah Louis Bennett PUBLISHED FROM WELCOMETOTHEBUNKER.COM
UNIT 10, 23 GRANGE ROAD, HASTINGS, TN34 2RL
INTRO.
20 22
04 08 10 12 14 16 17
FEATURES.
THE 1975 MATT MALTESE THE GOA EXPRESS SWIM SCHOOL ALEXANDER 23 BANGERS A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... MALADY
24 32 40 44 52
SHE’S IN PARTIES HEARTWORMS
GORILLAZ GRACIE ABRAMS JOCKSTRAP SHAME WESLEY JOSEPH
54 55 56
PARAMORE MASTER PEACE INHALER
GET OUT. 58 59 60 60
LEWIS CAPALDI ROCKAWAY BEACH WALLOWS COACH PARTY
HYPE.
INCOMING.
BACKPAGE.
18
54
62
3COLLECT COVERS THEM ALL
JESSICA WINTER
REVIEWS
CAITY BASER
All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of The Bunker Publishing Ltd. Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, for which The Bunker Publishing Ltd holds no responsibility. The opinions of the contributors do not necessarily bear a relation to those of Dork or its staff and we disclaim liability for those impressions. Distributed nationally.
INTRO. THE BEATING HEART OF POP NONSENSE.
4. DORK
THE 1975 kick off their UK tour in Brighton with their biggest swing yet. WORDS: ALI SHUTLER. PHOTOS: JORDAN CURTIS HUGHES.
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COVER STORY
We’ve heard of cult bands before, but with their new album ‘Cracker Island’, GORILLAZ are taking it to extremes. WORDS: JESSICA GOODMAN. ILLUSTRATION: JAMIE HEWLETT.
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GORILLAZ
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COVER STORY
Where do
32. DORK
GRACIE ABRAMS
GRACIE ABRAMS’ debut album ‘Good Riddance’ is the story of a young artist finding her way to the top of the mountain on a journey of selfdiscovery, healing and brilliant potential fully realised. WORDS: NEIVE MCCARTHY. PHOTOS: SARAH LOUISE BENNETT. PHOTO ASSISTANT: PATRICK GUNNING HAIR: KEI TREADS @ JULIAN WATSON AGENCY MAKE UP: CELIA BURTON @ CLM AGENCY
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FEATURE
40. DORK
JOCKSTRAP
Although this eclectic duo have risen from obscurity to boast one of the most highlypraised albums of 2022, Georgia Ellery shares that, to her, JOCKSTRAP will always just be two people making music in their bedrooms. WORDS: FINLAY HOLDEN. PHOTOS: EDDIE WHELAN.
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COVER STORY
From the pubs of South London to the big leagues, Shame have come a long way. Now with their upcoming release, ‘Food For Worms’, they’re honing their sound, playing with humour and promising there really is a cameo from Phoebe Bridgers. Honest. WORDS: JAKE HAWKES. PHOTOS: PATRICK GUNNING.
44. DORK
SHAME
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