The Superman Revenge Squad Band
There Is Nothing More Frightening Than the Passing of Time
anti-folk / indie folk / emo / singer-songwriter / indie rock / lo-fi / indie / indie pop / alternative
Audio Antihero formed in late 2009 as a means of releasing the lost debut album from the long-disbanded Nosferatu D2 (Ben and Adam Parker). The album became a cult hit with an audience that included members of Los Campesinos! and Art Brut and it soon earned raves in Drowned In Sound, The Line Of Best Fit, DIY Mag, Pitchfork, and The Skinny. The album’s unconventional release was even a featured radio story years later on BBC 6 Music and Public Radio International (“The World“)– but despite the band’s belated success, the Parker brothers chose never to reform.
In 2013, the Parker brothers finally reunited when Ben Parker’s Superman Revenge Squad was expanded to The Superman Revenge Squad Band as Adam Parker and others loaded the “There Is Nothing More Frightening Than the Passing of Time” album with cello, accordion, piano, saxophone and rapid percussion.
This eclectic “big band” effort provided a wonderfully vast and varied canvas for Ben Parker’s aching, observational, nostalgic, abstract, and often stream-of-conscious lyrical narratives. Like his past projects, the album made numerous end-of-year lists and found BBC supporters in Gideon Coe, Tom Robinson, and Steve Lamacq.
Praise for Superman Revenge Squad:
“There’s something so special about ‘There is Nothing More Frightening…’ It’s a record which deserves wider recognition, but will likely hold a special place only to those few fortunate enough to have come into contact with it. I for one am truly glad that I am one of those.” – Gold Flake Paint
“Once again Ben has created a body of work that many listeners will find instant kinship with. These are tales infused with a humour and vivacity that few other songwriters can touch.” – The Line of Best Fit
“He’s joined once more by brother Adam Parker and myriad instruments including sax, accordion, strings and percussion, not to mention his frenetic fretwork. A large segment of his appeal has always come from the lyrics he wields, and his forthcoming record will not disappoint – it’s laced with emotive tales of the stresses of modern life, his frank wordplay and all manner of cult references (including Rocky III, David Lynch and pro-wrestling).” – Bearded Magazine
“This album speaks to me on an almost embarrassingly intimate level… It’s been a long time since I was so interested in an album’s lyrical content.” – The Album Wall
“If the name Ben Parker doesn’t conjure up images of incredible lyricisms and ineffable wit then give it some time, it will. One of the most articulate writers to come burning out of England in recent years, Ben brings his everyday thoughts to life in inimitable style via Superman Revenge Squad Band… a rough beauty that’s rare to find.” – Chord Blossom
“…Practically bursts with melodic ideas thrumming off of tense accordions and wandering saxophones. In one way it sounds like Parker has gone off the deep end finally, but in another it is pure genius. You may recall we’ve done things like proclaim Parker England’s greatest contemporary lyricist, or characterize him here as “startlingly talented,” all of which still holds true.” – Clicky Clicky Music