The Clockworks recently dropped their first new single of 2022, with the single “Endgame”. The song is lifted from The Clockworks EP, which will be released on 1 April, via It’s Creation Baby. Loosely inspired by the Samuel Beckett play of the same name, “Endgame” is as literary as it is biting literal; it’s a song that grapples with the paranoia of losing your edge as the crushing cogs of time roll-on.

“We’re post punk // Post truth // Post Europe // Post Youth // Post modern // Post faith and God // and Post post too…” jibes frontman James McGregor in a loquacious tirade. As self-effacing as it is cannily self-aware, the song’s complex character-driven narrative delivers a state-of-the-nation address from the shoes of joe public, while providing opportunity for a steely-eyed stare into the mirror.

Delving into the themes at play in “Endgame”, James McGregor says:

“The idea for the lyrics was to have this character who’s a bit obnoxious playing a game of pool at the pub, and as the song progresses we get to peel him back and see that the game he’s playing is really against himself. The title, apart from relating to the game in the song, is a reference to Beckett’s play Endgame, which we thought touched on the themes/ideas/feelings of the song. I also liked the way that Beckett’s play had a through line of a chess game, like this song has a through line of a game of pool.”

A staple of The Clockworks live canon for some time, “Endgame” has been reworked several times since the band’s inception. While its words and sounds have evolved as its creators have too, its febrile chorus has always remained a constant. Completed in 2022, the end result is a dark and relentless development that plays a hand of ruthless pop hooks and builds towards a blindsiding crescendo; a resolute winner from a band that are always seemingly three-moves-ahead.
With words by James McGregor, “Endgame” was recorded at Crouch End Studios by The Clockworks. It was produced & mixed by Michael Rendall alongside the band and Assistant Engineer Callum Parker.

“Endgame” is a potent first signal of what to expect from the band’s upcoming s/t debut EP. Fusing intense post punk sounds with snarling kitchen-sink observations, ‘The Clockworks’ EP will feature four new tracks in total including “Money (I Don’t Want To Hear It”, “Feels So Real”, “The Temper” and of course “Endgame”. ‘The Clockworks’ EP arrives on 1 April via It’s Creation Baby.

THE CLOCKWORKS
THE CLOCKWORKS EP
TRACKLISTING

1. Endgame
2. Money (I Don’t Wanna Hear It)
3. Feels So Real
4. The Temper

Formed in Galway and now living in London, The Clockworks are James McGregor (Vocals/Guitar), Sean Connelly (Guitar), Damian Greaney (Drums) and Tom Freeman (bass). Relocating in 2019, the quartet were signed by the legendary Alan McGee almost overnight. The track follows singles since their partnership with McGee began; gaining ground at-pace with the likes of “Feels So Real”, “Enough Is Never Enough”, “Can I Speak To A Manager?”, “The Future Is Not What It Was” and more in their growing arsenal.

THE CLOCKWORKS 2022 TOUR DATES

MARCH

19 – AUSTIN, TX (SXSW) – The Green Jay
25 – LONDON, UK – Moth Club

APRIL

20 – SCHORNDORF – Manufaktur
21 – COLOGNE – C/O Pop Festival
22 – DARMSTADT – 806m
23 – ERLANGEN – Etage 1
25 – MUNCHEN – Heppel&Ettlich
26 – DRESDEN – Beatpol
27 – BERLIN – Lido or Frannz
28 – HANNOVER – Cafe Glocksee
29 – HAMBURG – Molotow

MAY

7 May – BELFAST – Voodoo (supporting The Reytons)
10 May – DUBLIN – The Grand Social
12 May – BRIGHTON – The Great Escape Festival
16 – PARIS – The French Esplanade
17 – LILLE – L’Aeronef (supporting Sprints)
20 – AMSTERDAM – London Calling Festival
28 May – WOLVERHAMPTON – Creation Day Festival

JUNE

3 JUNE – PORT TALBOT – In It Together

JULY

22 JULY – STEVENTON – Truck Festival

Tickets on sale now HERE