Within garage rock circles, the Len Price 3 have become a hugely popular fixture. Between their high energy live shows and some superb recorded works, the Medway lads have continually given the UK scene a kick up the arse. Despite not being the most prolific act in terms of studio work, they’ve been remarkably consistent, and the best bits of 2022’s ‘Ip Dip Do’ and 2023’s ‘Chinese Burn’ are every bit as powerful as the band’s earliest works. With such a high quality threshold, it’s no wonder that, despite hailing from a corner of Britain that isn’t exactly renowned for its musical heritage or wealth of live venues – it seems to have always been Billy Childish against the world – the LP3 managed to attract the attention of the Wicked Cool label in the US.
A much anticipated follow up to their 2023 Wicked Cool 7”, ‘Emily’s Shop’ – backed with ‘I’m A Fake’ – is prime Price. ‘Emily’s Shop’ kicks off with a superb 60s inspired jangle, where a bright guitar sound sits above a steady rhythm, immediately catching the ear. Everything then branches out into an even more melodic riff that occasionally captures the spirit of the early Who, but with more melodic drumming, crossed with a deep cut from Secret Affair. A slightly flatter vocal with a clear South East accent makes everything sound even more English – if that’s possible – and that seems to feed into a quirky lyrical construct rather brilliantly. Instead of labouring the point regarding the usual mod-friendly topics, this track is a full on celebration of the magical shop where Emily’s friends – the singing mice and a pink and white striped cat – can “fix anything”. For British listeners, of a certain age – and particularly those eternal children who spend time online discussing retro television – this tribute to the world of Bagpuss will be immediately endearing. And the fact that the band have coupled the verse lyric with a simple hook that’ll stick from first play with the kind of huge, sparkling melody that displays some fantastically accessible chops. This is a recording that takes up an immediately classic status.
On the flip side, ‘I’m A Fake’ is another very strong LP3 workout. The guitar sound is a little chunkier and a pounding drum line pushes the band’s garage rock a little further into the realms of melodic punk in the style of late 70s bands like Tonight, but at the heart of the piece, the Lens’ trademark sound still bristles with life. Parts of the riff take on a mod-friendly edge, and the bass work is always solid, but it’s the vocals that really shine here. From the very first note, the combination of a buoyant sounding guitar riff and wordless “woo-woo” vocals catch the ear, and once the verse finds its feet, a broader melody and natural vocal sets a great garage rock sound in place. That’s all good, but its another unfussy chorus that sells this track. A harmony driven sound delivering the lyric “I’m a fake, I’m a phony” in an almost call and response style shares something that’s bound to win over live audiences in record time, but also has the potential to appeal to newer listeners too.
‘Emily’s Shop’ isn’t the first time that Bagpuss universe has been immortalised in a rock number, of course, since Paul Weller inadvertently turned the theme tune into a riff for ‘The Bitterest Pill’. It is, however, highly likely one of the first times the friends of the “saggy old cloth cat” have had such a tribute paid to them very much on purpose, and if that is the case, they couldn’t have wished for anything better. That track adds a genuine winner to the Lens’ catalogue, which alone makes this release worth investing in, but ‘I’m A Fake’ also presents the kind of hook that presents a now veteran band absolutely on fire. In two songs and a little under four minutes, with this release, The Len Price 3 bring a ray of instant musical sunshine: it’s a cast iron example of why mod friendly garage rock and power pop sounds will never get old.
June 2025