The Primevals, Inca Babies, the Lotts

Event information

The Primevals

Stewart Lee has commissioned Glasgow's garage punk veterans to write a suitably haunting song for his new stand-up show 'Stewart Lee Vs The Man Wulf', which is currently on a long U.K tour. The band formed in 1983. Influenced by the MC5, The Stooges, Captain Beefheart, Pharoah Sanders, The Gun Club, The Cramps etc etc , and 1960s American garage rock, they continue to improve with age, like a fine single malt, and remain a resiliently brilliant live act.

The single features the A side "I'm The Man-Wulf" with an edited long version on the flip. The Primevals have always been a lot more than a bang it out garage rock band. Sure, they hit hard but behind the noise (of which there is a lot) is a fine and dare we say it cultured understanding of all the other great love sounds-of funk, soul, free jazz and a plain goddam groove!!

The Primevals love playing the Ferret and Tuff LIfe Boogie will keep bringing them back until everyone gets the message that this is an elite band!

https://primevals.bandcamp.com/

INCA BABIES

Inca Babies were formed in Manchester’s infamous Hulme flats in 1982 by Bill Marten (bass) and Harry Stafford (guitar, later vocals). Intended as ‘cities in the sky’ for young executives, the Hulme estate quickly turned into a cockroach-infested grey slum and undoubtedly influenced the Inca’s raunchy death ray twang, also informed by the nascent goth scene which was genuinely exciting.

The Inca's first single 'The Interior' secured them the first of four John Peel sessions recorded between 1984-87. With two number one slots in the Indie single chart and a top 5 album 'Rumble', the Incas soon began to find an audience abroad, touring mainland Europe several times. Three further albums (This Train, Opium Den and Evil Hour) and six more singles were released. During this time popularity was not a problem but keeping personnel was, and while singers and drummers came and went, Bill and Harry, the backbone of the band who played every gig and appeared on every record, struggled to keep the integrity of the band alive. The end came when there were no more singers and no more drummers.

But then in 2006 came the ’Best of’ compilation 'Plutonium', and the band reformed in 2007 with Goldblade drummer Rob Haynes the new occupant behind the drum kit. Gigs at home and abroad followed and a new album was midway through being written when the band were hit with the shocking news of the death of bassist Bill Marten.

The band was put on hold while they came to terms with this loss, but it was eventually decided to keep Bill's legacy alive by continuing and finishing off the album they had started writing, which turned out to be ‘Death Message Blues’ released in 2010. Harry and Rob have continued to be the core of the Inca Babies since then, putting out several more albums, most recently, ‘Ghost Mechanic No 9’ which dropped in late 2024, and introduces new bass player, Jim Adama. Ghost Mechanic is a powerful collection of tunes taking listeners back to a sound that is rawer and spikier, reminiscent of the Inca’s early days, and closes with a new reworked dub version of 80’s favourite ‘Opium Den’.

The Incas have continued to gig occasionally when their schedules permit and interest in the band remains high. Tuff Life Boogie has been delighted to get a number of opportunities to present the band in the past and has learned that two things are guaranteed when you book them: Inca Babies are always a hard act to follow and Harry Stafford is always the best-dressed man in the room. Tuff Life Boogie is happy to welcome them back to the Ferret in 2025.

https://www.facebook.com/incababies

The Lotts
Warrington’s garage rock upstarts The Lotts have been going for a few years now, but look set to make more of an impact this year. After being chosen by Louder than War as one of their 25 New Bands for 2025, they have set up some American dates in March and are also headlining the respected Hipsville Garage Rock weekender in Margate in May.
The Lotts’ latest single “Stop and Think it Over” is a Compulsive Gamblers cover, which underscores their great taste and appreciation for 60’s influenced driving beat music. If you like Reigning Sound, Ty Segall or classic line-up period Oh Sees, make sure you turn up early and give this great band your support.

www.thelotts.bandcamp.com