NTGB: There’s No Ghosts in this Town

NTGB’s latest single, “There’s No Ghosts in This Town,” kicks off with a bit of rockabilly swagger: swinging drums and retro guitar riffs that call to mind garage bands from the golden age of rock’n’roll and a bass line that will creep up on you with a haunting familiarity until you get the feeling that the ghost of the Who’s John Entwistle is playing on the record. (Seriously, give the track a close listen between 0:39 and 0:44 and tell me that I’m wrong! The bass riff reminds me of “My Generation.”)

Of course, it’s not the ghost of John Entwistle because, as the title of the song informs us, there are no ghost in this town and thus no ghosts on this track, either. There is, however, a message of solidarity. Lyrically, “No Ghosts in This Town” opens on a note of apparent hopelessness: the sun is going down and vultures are descending. But all is not lost, because as long as the “we” of the song can manage to stick together, there’s life. Which is to say not death and, hence, no ghosts.

Worth noting: The chorus may offer a couple of different interpretations. On my first listen, I thought for sure the lyrics were “Nothing can be fixed.” Upon closer examination, I’m more of the opinion that it’s “Nothing can’t be fixed,” particularly given the ultimately positive message of the couplet’s rejoinder: “There’s still hope in this pile of bricks.”

Given the song’s hopeful message and rockabilly underpinnings, “There’s No Ghosts in This Town” is certainly worth putting into regular rotation or adding to your favorite playlist. Moreover, NTGB—named, it would seem, for founding band members Nick Thompson and Gaz Brown—are worth keeping a close eye one, as their songwriting chops are top-notch.

NTGB hails from the North East UK local music scene

We’re spinning NTGB on AMS Radio! Tune-in during the “Indie Anarchy – new releases” timeslot on Thursdays to hear “There’s No Ghosts in This Town,” and more of the BEST NEW independent music out right now. We also have NTGB’s previously released smash single “Till I’m Gone” – an AMS Radio All-Time Top 10’er – in rotation during all other “Indie Anarchy” timeslots.

NTGB are:

Nick Thompson – Bass / Lead Guitar / Backing vocals

Gaz Brown – Lead Vocals

Steve Graham – Rhythm Guitar

Andy Trainor – Keys

Mark Cliff – Drums

Follow NTGB Online:

Bandcamp | Official Website | YouTube | Spotify

AMS Radio Top 10

About the Writer:

At any moment on any given day, you can find Marc Schuster engaging in any number of activities: assembling his weekly radio show, interviewing musicians for his blog, laying down drum tracks for various artists, rehearsing for the next show with Philadelphia-based power-pop band Scoopski (in which he plays bass), recording music for his own wide-ranging projects (solo and otherwise), experimenting with film and animation, or designing album covers and concert posters for fellow musicians. On top of all that, he’s full-time college professor with a healthy catalog of publications to his name, including a book on the Beach Boys’ Holland album and an illustrated children’s book titled “Frankie Lumlit’s Janky Drumkit.” Our beloved host of the Tweetcore Radio Hour here on AMS Radio is one to keep busy. Learn more about him and connect online:

Abominations Blog | Marc Schuster Official Website