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    The Breeding Ground Of Vile is a double album of protest songs and songs to make people think in a world where thought seems to have become an outdated concept. Comprising 24 tracks over two volumes, the album comments on injustice, political incompetence, and senseless conflict, but also carries the powerful message that people still have the power.

    All songs were written by me, but huge thanks are extended to the other musicians on the album for their innovative and intuitive contributions: Kieran Heaney, Emma Perry, Kate Ferris, Matt Steady, Duncan Reed, Kristen (Hatt) Lewis and Matthew Lewis of the Lewinskies, Peter Robinson, and last but by no means least, the man who makes it all happen and our very good friend HeyGamal.

    The album is presented in a cardboard sleeve with my initial design concept being professionalised by the fabulous team at ThinkCr8, Leigh, Greater Manchester. Thanks also to the super talented Frank Roper Photography for the band images.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Breeding Ground Of Vile - Double Album via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.     ... more
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  • Full Digital Discography

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of They - Single, A Sobering Dose Of Realism - Single, The Fast and the Furious - Single, Inheritance, Peace - Single, The Breeding Ground Of Vile - Double Album, Monkey See, Monkey Do (a Russ Still song) - Single, The Madness EP, and 3 more. , and , .

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about

The ‘Water Rats’ transported raw materials, construction materials, and finished goods along the UK’s network of canals, sustaining the early industrial revolution. The Rats were often rich, property owning families whose livelihoods were decimated by the coming of the railways. Many had to live where they worked - on their narrowboats - and were considered second class citizens by the railway magnates who replaced them.

lyrics

RATS

The traders gathered at their clubs
In their top hats and spats
Their income and collective wealth
Created by the rats

“Let not the head despise the foot
Nor the body disrespect the head
But let the blood of unity”*
Predominate instead

The canal workers who owned their homes
Driven to their boats.
Pay reduced and hours increased
Amid the grime and smoke
Dignity and industry
Crammed the narrow frames.
Pride of place and well turned out,
As the snipers take their aim
As the snipers take their aim

“Let not the head despise the foot
Nor the body disrespect the head
But let the blood of unity”*
Predominate instead

The cart replaced the mounted mare
Boats took journeys from the carts
Steam trains took the freight away
And broke the boatman’s heart
And rail surrendered to road
And trucks and cars became
The routine way for moving goods
And the traders lost their names
And the traders lost their names

“Let not the head despise the foot
Nor the body disrespect the head
But let the blood of unity”*
Predominate instead

© Copyright John Reed January 2018. All rights reserved.

credits

from The Breeding Ground Of Vile - Double Album, released June 29, 2018
JOHN REED: Vocals, acoustic guitar, cittern
MATT STEADY: Violin
HEYGAMAL: Backing vocals, production

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John Reed Manchester, UK

John is a Blackpool born singer-songwriter from Manchester whose songs cover themes of social injustice, environment, politics, and life

In 2020, John joined producer Ali Karim and Jo Beth Young in releasing "The Peasants' Revolt" (as NIGHTSONG) in December 2020.

His new album in collaboration with Ali Karim "Breathe" will be released on 1st October 2021. Look out for the full album YouTube! ... more

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