Johnny Foreigner - Forwards! [Industrial Smoke LP]

Cat. no: ALCOPOP319X
Format: LP Industrial Smoke LP
Barcode: 3618111987881
Release Date: 16 Oct 2026
Genre: Indie

Forwards! moves roughly chronologically through moments in Brummie history; from the Lunar Society/Priestley Riots, through post war brutalist redevelopment, to the current era of apathy, strikes, mystery fires, and grifters stoking dangerously misguided "patriotism". The record grew from the band's view of the city as both a microcosm of the wider country, and testing ground for 200 years of unaccountable Westminster experimentation. The title itself is taken from the Birmingham's oft-derided civic motto.

Throughout the record, fellow Birmingham punx Luxury Nan Smell take the role of The City Elders, providing backing vocals that interrupt, question or comment on the songs like a running director's commentary. Meanwhile, Bryn Bowen, whose CV stretches across numerous Birmingham bands of the 2000s, appears as The Lords of Change, a recurring voice embodying the landlords, lawmakers and civic powerbrokers who shape the city from above.

LP Industrial Smoke LP Tracks: foreward / The Remnants of the Lunar Society / The Sacking of Fairhill House / The Concrete Collar / OUR CITY ELDERS REFRAIN / The Rea Will Rise Again / The New Navigation / The Great Work / OUR CITY ELDER'S REPRISE / yr ideas