Forward by The Destroyers
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Birmingham was at the centre of the Industrial Revolution, with heavy industries dominating the Black Country landscape. This area was known as such for the black smoke emitted by its factories in the day, while at night the furnaces glowed red.
The original Bullring Market was established in the 12th century and was used for bull-baiting, as well as the sale of goods. By 1832 it had become the traditional meeting place for speakers. Even today, the Bullring remains a popular meeting place, most notably for its 6.5-tonne bronze bull by British sculptor Laurence Broderick that welcomes you to the space.
Forward was written especially for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony by The Destroyers, and was performed in part of the segment entitled ‘Carnival of Firsts’ celebrating the many industrious innovations the city has gifted the world.
The Destroyers are:
Sarah Farmer - Violin
Seth Bye - Violin
Max Gittings - Flutes, Whistles & Bagpipes
Katie Stevens - Clarinet
Rob Spalton - Trumpet
Sam Wooster - Trumpet
Pete Churchill - Accordion & Vocals
Jamie Fekete - Guitar
Dan Wilkins - Guitar
Aaron Diaz - Sousaphone
Nick Jurd - Bass Guitar
Tim Bowes - Drums
Tracklist
| 1. | Forward | 2:11 |
Lyrics
Time, Ticking!
Steel for nails and iron for chains
Slaves of furnace fire and flames
Press, Onwards!
People parched and sweating steam
Cogs in a bespoke machine
Toil, Longer!
Faith in forge and factory
Trust in trade and industry
Push, Forward!
Quarry stone and dig for coal
Mechanise and fire the soul
People parched and sweating steam
Cogs in a bespoke machine
Chase a u-to-pi-an dream
People parched and sweating steam
Cogs in a bespoke machine
Chase a u-to-pi-an dream
Quarry stone and dig for coal
Cast the bell and strike the toll
Mechanise and fire the soul
HA!
Credits
composed, arranged by The Destroyers
lyrics by Pete Churchill
performed by the Destroyers
engineered by Luke Morrish-Thomas
choir recorded by Dan Jones
produced by Luke Morrish-Thomas, Dan Jones & The Destroyers
License
All rights reserved.
Celebrating 20 years of continuous voyage through clubs and festivals in the UK and beyond!
The Destroyers are a band of Birmingham’s finest musical champions, who audaciously collide genres to truly stunning effect, creating a festival of sound that hides its sophistication in its raw and direct hit to the senses, lifting up the listener as if in the hands of a giant.