Manbird Premiere Their “All The Way From Blackpool” Music Video

The artist name Manbird may prompt some questions, but it’s best not to overthink it. No, it’s best to just enjoy the music, like with their latest single “All The Way From Blackpool.” The band has now released an accompanying music video for the track, an interesting “man on the street” kind of clip that gives us a gander at life as it’s taking place on the street. It’s a look at the different subsets of society, all operating in their own way, forming together to create an environment and a culture. The band’s sound is hard to describe. They like to think of it as a combination of styles, a tribute to artists that are wholly original. Musicians like Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, and The Dandy Warhols.

Regarding the artist name Manbird, you might think there is a memorable story behind it. On the contrary, the name holds very little meaning and none of the three band members could really even try their hand at an appropriate answer. Richard Vernon prefers to focus on what Manbird stands for. Musically, the band sounds like Pete Townsend is playing guitar riffs composed by the late Tom Verlaine of Television.

Commenting on the song, the band states:

“All the Way from Blackpool is about how, when properly informed, seemingly powerless people on one side of the world can devise actions that change events on the other. In 1973, British made and maintained Hawker Hunter jets were instrumental in a coup in Chile that toppled a democratically elected socialist government. It was replaced by a brutal military dictatorship. When engines from Chilean Hawker Hunters subsequently arrived at Rolls Royce East Kilbride for maintenance, unionised workers recognised their significance and impounded them. The engines rusted there until 1978, hobbling the Chilean dictatorship’s air force.”

The band is rounded out by Steve Hands and English singer-songwriter Paul Smith. Vernon and Hands originally met in the band The One with Peter Perrett of The Only Ones. Vernon and Smith met when they were signed to Rough Trade and then Island Records as part of the band Helter Skelter. They have many more credits to their names all leading up to this moment where all their experiences and influences have joined together in Manbird.

Manbird “All The Way From Blackpool” single artwork