Richard Bodin
Last year, Limerick-based band Fox Jaw announced their breakup after 18 years. Before them, in 2017, The Hip-Neck Blues Collective—also from Limerick—called it quits as well. The two bands had a history of collaborating with each other. Earlier this year, however, a new project emerged from the Treaty City: Neptune Blood reunites members from both Fox Jaw and The Hip-Neck Blues Collective. They released their debut single, “Midnight Showing” a few months ago and are getting ready to release their new one: “Best Laid Plans”
When Fox Jaw announced their ‘breakup’ last year, they hinted that it was merely the end of a chapter to make way for something new. Neptune Blood, it turns out, is that new beginning. The former Fox Jaw quintet—Ronan Mitchell, Morgan Nolan, Shane Serrano, Kieran J. Sims, and Manolis Pates—returns as a sextet, now joined by Damien Moore of The Hip-Neck Blues Collective.
A striking debut single
“Midnight Showing”, released back in March, may have arrived quietly, but it packs a punch and rewards repeated listening. With a driving rhythm, fuzzy guitars, and Ronan Mitchell’s ethereal vocals, the track channels a Madchester energy with a shoegazy taste. Inspired by the story of the Black Dahlia, the single was accompanied by a stunning video—produced by Shane Serrano—featuring visuals from 1920s motion pictures.
Plans in motions
Neptune Blood are now gearing up to release their second single, “Best Laid Plans”, on July 14th. The track, described as “new and yet nostalgic,” was recorded at home in Limerick at Wonderland Recording Studios with producer Ben Wanders (Kneecap, The Scratch). The song explores how even the best-prepared plans can go awry.
Singer Ronan Mitchell explains: “It’s about being able to roll with the punches and adapt to whatever life throws at you. You can prepare for all eventualities and the wheels can still come off at any time.” He continues, “Or, as Mike Tyson put it: ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.’”
Stay Tuned
With “Best Laid Plans” on the horizon and momentum clearly building, Neptune Blood are just getting started. An EP seems likely—and if the band’s pedigree is anything to go by, there’s plenty more to come. Keep your ears open… and stay tuned on The Hidden Track.
