Beginning with a jaunty whistle and gentle strum, the new single from Beans on Toast goes on to deliver a serious message and he leaves us in no doubt about his position being ‘Against the War’. Beans on Toast creates stark and terrible pictures of suffering with his powerful words, using language in typically effective fashion: “The whole thing is fucking horrible…watching war crimes on my phone…I stand with the victims // whoever they are // And I’m against the war.”
Many of Beans’ songs in recent times have been extraordinary songs of hope and positivity, presenting an optimistic view of humanity and our place in the world. On the last album, ‘Survival of the Friendliest’, he very consciously supplied his fans with an uplifting answer to the doubt, uncertainty and tragedy of the last few years. However, this single is a real statement and a return to the protest songs we’ve heard from him previously. It’s in the tradition of protest songs from the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger and makes clear what Beans on Toast stands for: peace. He explains: “‘Against the War’ is a protest song. It’s a song about peace written in a time of war. It wasn’t an easy song to write, but like everyone, the horrors of the Ukraine invasion have been at the forefront of my mind for the past year.”
The song is available as a ‘pay what you feel’ release on Bandcamp here. All the proceeds from sales on Bandcamp will go to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament – check them out here. Unbelievably, it’s a year on from the beginning the war in Ukraine and it’s important that artists like Beans on Toast and songs like this keep the conflict at the forefront of our minds.
Beans is in the middle of a huge ‘BACK OUT ON THE ROAD’ UK tour, which began with the single of the same name, premiered on Americana UK here. Look out for the dates below. Amongst his loyal fanbase, Beans on Toast is a people’s champion who manages to lift everyone’s spirits while also tackling big issues. Check it out.
MARCH DATES:
1 – BIRKENHEAD Future Yard
2 – NEWCASTLE The Cluny
3 – ABERDEEN Tunnels
4 – DUNDEE Beat Generator
5 – LANCASTER Kanteena
7 – MIDDLESBROUGH Westgarth Social
8 – YORK The Crescent
9 – LINCOLN The Drill
10 – MANCHESTER Band On The Wall
11 – LEEDS The Brudenell – SOLD OUT
12 – BIRMINGHAM Castle & Falcon
14 – CANTERBURY The Gulbenkian
15 – HASTINGS The Brass
16 – SOUTHAMPTON The Loft
17 – LISKEARD The Social
18 – FALMOUTH The Cornish Bank
19 – EXETER The Phoenix
20 – STROUD The Prince Albert
21 – BATH Moles
22 – SWANSEA The Bunkhouse
23 – BRISTOL Fleece
24 – READING Face Bar
25 – LONDON Lafayette
