“Pirate Song” is an epic, multi-layered, and steamy anthem accompanied by a jaunty video that captures the band exploring and gallivanting as pirates on the high seas.
“I was filming in Greece for 28 weeks, and the production used to take us out for meals every night where some traditional Greek players were getting up and playing old traditional Greek music,” offers founding member and guitarist Laurence Archer on ‘Pirate Song’. “I got chatting to one of the guys and asked what these traditional songs were all about. He said they were nearly all about piracy and smuggling. I had an acoustic guitar with me I always practiced on. In all Greek music, they basically have this ‘open drone’ going on in the background, so, I de-tuned the guitar, started doing this thing, and the next thing I know I came up with the song.”
“Which incidentally marked my first ever one-take,” continues vocalist Mike Dyer. “I sang a live vocal on the demo. I’d never in my wildest dreams think I’d be talking like this, but I always wanted to do a first take like Daryl Hall. I remember standing in and watching Daryl Hall sing and it pissed me off so much because he’d literally go in there and nail it, one take which is not normal. The vocal on ‘Pirate Song’ is the first-time take I’d ever sung it, and it stayed on the album. The song was then completed on an island, far, far away in the French Caribbean, in Guadeloupe when I first hooked up with Laurence whilst he was filming Death in Paradise… It’s been plain sailing ever since.”
Video Directed, Produced and Edited by Paul M Green.
Originally formed in the post-Lizzy days, by Laurence Archer and Phil Lynott, Grand Slam’s story is one of persistence and craft. Ever since the band was cut short in its prime, thus leaving a hole in the fabric of rock music, Archer had been nurturing a long-term plan to rebuild the Grand Slam machine, and here it is ready to race! Joined by Mike Dyer (Tokyo) on vocals, Benjy Reid (Praying Mantis) on drums and Rocky Newton (Lionheart, Def Leppard, Michael Schenker) on bass, Archer (UFO, Gary Moore) honors the traditions of rock and his songwriting dynasty, whilst also firing forward into their future at full speed.
Hot from the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore full-length, Wheel of Fortune, Grand Slam are ready to ransack stages around the world kicking off 2025, all guns blazing, with a string of European dates alongside the legendary Saxon and Girlschool; more shows are being planned as you read, so don’t miss out!
For more information and tickets visit grandslamrocks.com/live
European Tour Dates 2025
FEB 04 – Aladin Music Hall, Bremen (DE)*
FEB 06 – Amager Bio, Copenhagen (DK)*
FEB 08 – De Bosuil, Weert (NL)
FEB 07 – De Gelderlandfabriek, Culembourg (NL)
FEB 09 – Slagthuset, Malmö (SE) [SOLD OUT]*
FEB 11 – Rockefeller, Olso (NO)*
FEB 13 – Trädgär’n, Gothenburg (SE)*
FEB 14 – Folkets Park, Huskvarna (SE) [SOLD OUT]*
FEB 15 – Cirkus, Stockholm (SE) [SOLD OUT]*
FEB 17 – Docks, Hamburg (DE)*
FEB 19 – Lucerna Music Bar, Prague (CZ) [SOLD OUT]*
FEB 20 – Studio, Kraków (PL)*
FEB 21 – Gasometer, Vienna (AT)*
FEB 23 – Progresja, Warsaw (PL)*
FEB 25 – Muffathalle, Munich (DE) [SOLD OUT]*
FEB 26 – Live Club, Milan (IT)*
FEB 28 – Volkshaus, Zurich (CH)*
MAR 01 – Central, Erfurt (DE)*
MAR 02 – 013, Tilburg (NL)*
MAR 04 – Huxleys, Berlin (DE)*
MAR 05 – Haus Auensee, Leipzig (DE)*
MAR 07 – Electric Banana, Weston-super-mare (UK)
*With SAXON and GIRLSCHOOL
More dates to be announced
Grand Slam’s latest album, Wheel of Fortune, is out now and available to purchase at this location on a variety of formats.
Watch/Listen to the official singles and videos released from the Wheel Of Fortune album, ‘There Goes My Heart’, ‘Spitfire’, ‘Come Together (In Harlem)’ here
Wheel Of Fortune Track Listing:
- There Goes My Heart
- Starcrossed Lovers
- Come Together (In Harlem)
- Trail Of Tears
- Feeling Is Strong (Jo’s Song)
- Spitfire
- I Wanna Know!
- Pirate Song
- Afterlife
- Wheel Of Fortune
GRAND SLAM:
Mike Dyer – vocals
Laurence Archer – guitars
Benjy Reid – drums
Rocky Newton – bass
Wheel Of Fortune is Produced by Laurence Archer
Engineered by Pieter Rietkerk
Mixed by Laurence Archer
Mastered by Matt Wortham & Andy Pearce
Recorded at Chapel Studios; additional recording at Manamana Studios
