The scandal that encompassed the death of Max Borland after his 8th reincarnation in 2019, shuck the band pretty hard. The scandal involving Max, a prince, some chicken nipples and Chinese fruit bat in the autumn of 2019, led to Max’s extradition to China and subsequent execution. Unrelated (as now confirmed by the WHO) a pandemic came out of the same province in China where Max was summerly executed. Needless to say this and the world impacts that followed caused a hiatous in the next album development.

Having a gap to fill and a question for the band to deal with, how to move on from the Borland and what he brought to the band that was woven in to the iconic Smouldering Shoulder sound. Andrew “Nobhead” Noble decided something radical had to happen to work out the new setup and sound.

Spring 24 the band travelled to their spiritual home of New York, Talking Heads and The Strokes being massive influences on the band, the edgy New York live music scene was where the band would find the answers they needed.

Exploring the past looking for the future

The band felt walking in Max Borland’s final footsteps as a free man in New York might guide the band to a new sound. Reenacting some of the final hours of a free Max in Central Park was a mark of respect and drew the band closer together.

Having walked in the shoes of max, the band felt it was time to roam the Manhattan island seeking something familiar and knowing that may help them discover a new fit, and sound. Familiar old buildings and structures offered by the wonder of the New York skyline were a reassurance, the highlight of spiritual guidance and biggest talking point being below for the band.

A two pint problem

whilst roaming and there was a lot of roaming, Andrew “Nobhead” Noble lost use of his foot whilst walkabout, the Midband (James and Rouge) found some answers after two pints. A subsequent and notable incident with a fridge, an asian woman, and hallway confirmed the bands pattern of problem solving.

Limping between solution finding settings Mark “Gman” Gregory, former sessionist from The Velvet Underground bumped into the band over a two pint solving session. A Moscow Mule reflection and conversation drew Gman into the bands thoughts for the future.

Reaching for the heights

A few cycles of problem solving by the band, including the Mark “Gman” Gregory the band had found a new sound, the hiatus was over. Over the next two days of intensive problem solving, not slowed by the shake of an earthquake the band pulled together, The Fingering Tales of Andrew Epstein.

Album cover and track listing;

The Fingering Tales of Andrew Epstein (A side)