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Newcastle Band Explores Unwanted Messages with Sharp Social Critique
On Monday (July 29, 2024), the British synth and darkwave band 404 Error released “Please Reply,” the third promotional single from their debut album “Scene Killers.” Originating from Newcastle upon Tyne in northern England, 404 Error is a semi-anonymous project by the artist known as 36663. “Please Reply” features a black-and-white animated video created by Arif.
Alice Teeple, from Post-punk.com, writes:
“Known for their sharp social commentary and provocative views on goth scene politics, ‘Please Reply’ is a satire largely based on the deluge of unsolicited messages. With influences from Fad Gadget’s sarcasm and Heaven 17, the lyrics depict a man in his cave, desperate and rude, yearning to be a woman’s submissive partner. His efforts to catch her attention are filled with false promises and disrespect. He calls himself a ‘nice guy,’ but his focus is selfish, driven by his own needs and desires, completely ignoring her boundaries or interests.”
36663 explains:
“I find it terrible that women receive messages like these. And I know many get much worse, but I didn’t want to make the song too vulgar. I know many women, especially in the goth scene, who get strange messages from guys addressing them as ‘Mistress’ or wanting to be slaves – even though they’ve never indicated any interest in fetishes/BDSM. Some have received open proposals for foot pictures. And of course, many of these guys also try emotional blackmail, hence the line ‘It’s so hard for guys like me, nice guys just want a chance.’ As if there’s anything ‘nice’ about approaching a stranger that way.”
“I find it hard to say if I actually wrote this song or if the lyrics are just the content of many inboxes.”
Digital Release on Bandcamp
The digital single on Bandcamp includes two bonus “virtual B-sides”: “Hawk Tuah” and a cover of System of a Down’s “Chop Suey.”
“Hawk Tuah was a fun thing I didn’t know if I’d release. The problem with viral memes is that they age very quickly. But given that the person in question is living her best life, making lots of money with club and TV appearances, I’d say people are still interested. God knows how many messages she received from ‘Please Reply’ type guys.”
“‘Chop Suey,’ in turn, continues 404 Error’s tradition of making nu-metal covers almost unrecognizable (although arguably more intelligible than the originals): a standard set with a version of Slipknot’s ‘Wait and Bleed,’ included on the debut single ‘ETHAL.’ And while ‘ETHAL’ featured guest vocalist J.A.N.E., ‘Chop Suey’ features vocals by MXVC.”
404 Error’s new album “Scene Killers” and “Please Reply” (along with the album’s previous singles “Vote for Us” and “ETHAL”) can be downloaded on Bandcamp or streamed on Spotify and all digital platforms.
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