- Music
- 27 Sep 21
Last survivor is made up of Decky Hedrock and Mick McCallion.
New electronic duo Last Survivor have dropped their hypnotic debut single ‘Waste Away.’
‘Waste Away’ is a pulsing, synth-based track that combines Last Survivor's trippy soundscape with Mark Baker from Novablood and his trance-inducing vocals. The electronic duo create a rich bed of synths and melodies which Baker hops on with monotone vocals.
The debut single was influenced by 80s b-movies and hair metal. The duo, who recently signed to Atlantic Traxx, also dropped a cover of Faith No More’s ‘Ashes to Ashes’ from their 1997 record Album Of The Year as American comic book writer Brandon Jerwa lends his vocals to the track.
Last Survivor is made up of Decky Hedrock from The Japanese Popstars and Mick McCallion who drummed in rock band Droids. Hedrock — whose real name is Declan McLaughlin — has previously worked with Robert Smith of the Cure and was commissioned to make remixes for Daft Punk, Beyoncé and Depeche Mode as part of The Japanese Popstars.
The new electronic duo both hail from Derry, with Hedrock knitting synths together to produce their sound as McCallion lays down drums and vocals on tracks whilst also contributing to writing. It is a "new neo-futuristic sound with 80s synths, an attitude of rock and a sprinkling dance music."
The pair came together after Hedrock took a break from dance music as he had become disillusioned with the genre, he told Derry Now. Last survivor was born when McCallion asked Hedrock to form a band with him which reignited his passion.
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“I find it therapeutic and satisfying. I forgot how much I missed writing when I had stopped for those few years," he said. "Just looking at music in a new way with Last Survivor was invigorating, as I wasn’t writing music for DJs anymore, I was writing songs now. These had more structure, chord changes, more melody and where less repetitive than dance music. It feels like I’m being that little bit more creative.”
Last survivor are preparing to release their debut album which has already been finished with more singles to be released from the project. Details remain scarce on the band's upcoming project.
Listen to ‘Waste Away’ below.