A ROCK duo impacted by the pressures placed on record pressing plants say “there is light on the horizon” as they gear up to finally launch their second album on vinyl.
Ghosts Of Men, who are regularly seen shaking Colchester music venues to their core, first released EXHALE on May 21 last year.
Since then, they have headlined a stage at a major heavy music festival, supported huge artists and performed in countless grassroots establishments.
To accompany the release of EXHALE the band’s members, Adam Merchant and Peter Clegg, had hoped to offer their LP on vinyl, which is enjoying a huge resurgence.
As a result of the increased demand, however, the pair have had to wait an entire year before receiving a pressing of their album on the beloved physical format.
The duo puts the wait down to numerous factors, including Brexit customs issues, coronavirus and more bedroom musicians and bands due to the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Major labels have also been re-releasing old albums to capitalise on vinyl’s new found popularity while retail chains are repressing huge back catalogues.
Ghosts of Men said: “The European mainland vinyl industry has seen a backlog the last year or two - all of these things have added up to vinyl wait times of up to a year.
“But early this year a new pressings plant opened up in the UK and a couple more will follow suit in the next year or two.
“Adam's company for example, Cram Duplication, has partnered with that plant to create their packaging.
“Together they can offer lead times back to the more normal eight to 12 weeks we saw in pre-pandemic times - so there is light on the horizon.”
After a lengthy wait, Ghosts Of Men now plan on celebrating the acquisition of their record on vinyl in style with a huge gig in Colchester.
Taking place exactly a year on from EXHALE’s initial release, the sure-to-be sweaty show will be held at Coda, in High Street, this Saturday.
The line-up consists of a Pet Needs acoustic set, Henshaw, Ecto Peach, Pretty Babs and, of course, Ghosts Of Men.
“In traditional Ghost Of Men style, it will be crowded, loud, sweaty and jumping - With hors d'oeuvres,” they added.
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