Dead Freights are a punk rock band from Southampton that write angsty songs with a dark edge, laced with humour and passion that touch on personal struggles and social commentary, creating an authentic sound and aesthetic that is uniquely theirs. Following the four-piece's 2021 single release "Sufferin' Safari", the guys are back with "Bat Man", a punchy offering that is both playful and hard-hitting.
Inspired by his own frightening experience after a night out, the self-produced video sees frontman Charlie James being chased through the dishevelled back alleys of Southampton until he ultimately gives in to his aggressor.
Behind the visuals plays the band’s live recording of "Bat Man", recorded at The Albion Rooms studio and produced by Powell.
Dig beneath their cartoonish punk reincarnation of the original super hero theme tune and you find Dead Freights frontman and lyricist addressing themes not previously associated with his witty street poetry, and a scathing address to institutional thuggery and corporate violence:
'One night on my way home from the pub I got chased by a guy with a baseball bat, he was off his head and told me he was Bat Man,' explains Charlie. 'I joked to the boys the next day that the only difference between this guy and the real thing was a few quid in the bank and an expensive suit, it occurred to me that Batman is just another billionaire that can live above the law, use violence cause he's got that moral authority that comes with power. Look at what's going on here with the police, look at some of these celebrity business owners trying to fly to the moon whilst their employees can't even leave the line to take a piss without being fired, it's kinda hard to ignore that so many of us are running scared right now...'
'We're not a political band but I wanna write about what I see, what makes me angry, what makes me laugh. Vulnerable people are suffering and you can't ignore that, but we always wanna do it with music that nods and winks at you, not sure you can do that better than with a track inspired by the Bat Man theme tune. We're probably not allowed to use it without making the wealthy Hollywood estate some money by the way, so that's just another layer of irony for you to pop in your pipe.'
The video plays out the story of that night in Southampton, but the allegory hits terminal velocity as a baseball bat wielding POV looks to the sky to see the iconic 'Bat' symbol containing the message "*EAT THE RICH*"
The video release marks their multi-album signing with Libertines' Gary Powell and his revamped '25 Hour' indie label, coinciding with the quartet announcing that they will be joining The Libertines on their UK tour next month.
Tour Dates - Buy tickets here
30 Nov Leeds, O2 Academy
01 Dec Edinburgh, Usher Hall
03 Dec Newcastle, O2 Academy
04 Dec Liverpool, Mountford Hall
06 Dec Manchester, Academy
07 Dec Leicester, O2 Academy
08 Dec Headline show, Leicester, The Shed
09 Dec Cardiff, Student’s Union
10 Dec London, O2 Kentish Town Forum
10 Dec Camden Assembly Rooms playing @ The Libertines Official After Party
13 Dec Bristol, O2 Academy
14 Dec Nottingham, Rock City
16 Dec Sheffield, O2 Academy