Local Authority

Local Authority

Share this post

Local Authority
Local Authority
Love in the Medway
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Love in the Medway

In which Stephen Morris looks into what Medway songs you could play to your valentine this year.

Stephen Morris's avatar
Stephen Morris
Feb 14, 2024
∙ Paid
3

Share this post

Local Authority
Local Authority
Love in the Medway
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
1
Share

On 16 January 2024 I received a Whatsapp message from one Mr Steven Keevil, of this parish, reading as follows: “Idea for Feb piece. As it’s Valentine’s. What’s the Venn diagram of Medway Sounds/Love Songs?”

It’s an interesting question. Not least because the music of Medway does not appear to be synonymous with the concept of love at all. If you are after a selection of slushy ballads to get you in the mood for lurve, you would probably need to search beyond the likes of Thee Headcoats’ The Messerschmitt Pilot's Severed Hand, Stuart Turner’s A Gallon of Water Makes a Mile of Fog or Frau Pouch’s All Hail Space Chicken.

Medway’s music is notoriously reflective of its post-industrial surroundings. It is, for the most part, gnarly and raw, cynical and snarling – with a greater focus on a quick fumble than anything as deep and meaningful as true, all-encompassing love.

In fact, there have been times when Medway’s music has explored the exact opposite of love with the apparent condoning of boorish behaviour: of a man’s entitlement to sex and threats of violence if “his” woman doesn’t toe to line.

When Medway music does offer its softer, more vulnerable side, it is more likely to display a worn and rugged broken heart than anything resembling the chocolates and prosecco sentiments found on Simon Bates’ ‘Our Tune’.

And so, with such a caveat in mind, let’s take a very Medway look at ten songs about love (or whatever passes for it in these parts).

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Local Authority to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
A guest post by
Stephen Morris
Music writer.
Subscribe to Stephen
© 2025 Local Authority
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More