John Heckle kicks out a new series of Head Front Panel
Liverpool’s finest revives his techno-minded alias for a new run of 12” singles.
There’s a fine line between the intrigue of anonymity and annoying marketing gimmicks, but John Heckle got it just right when he slipped out the series of Head Front Panel singles in 2014 with some assistance from Tabernacle. The records snuck out into the techno firmament and amassed a swathe of support on their own terms, and understandably so considering the quality of the hardware jams contained within. Then, as the series wound up to a conclusion at the start of 2015, Heckle outed himself as the man responsible, causing everyone to listen back over the series and question how they didn’t spot the link before. The series obviously flicked a switch for Heckle, who then proceeded to take the project on the road for live sets that pushed a tougher agenda than his already feisty eponymous performances.
It’s no great surprise to discover that an artist as productive as he would have more where the original series came from, and so Tabernacle have announced a new series of Head Front Panel releases will commences with parts 11 and 12. If you were already digging the gutsy pump and thrust of the initial releases, you’ll not be disappointed this time around. The tracks all smack hard, but they’re equally imbued with the kind of playful twist that only Heckle can bring to such tough material, a far cry from po-faced, greyscale industrial techno. Both editions of this second series are scheduled to land in early October and a teaser video below should give you an idea of what to expect.
Head Front Panel will release HFP#011 and HFP#012 by Head Front Panel in October
HFP#011 tracklisting:
A1. Untitled
B1. Untitled
B2. Untitled
HFP#012 tracklisting:
A1. Untitled
B1. Untitled
B2. Untitled
Head Front Panel on Juno