Pick Up the Phone
Encyclopedia
"Pick Up the Phone" was the debut single from Brakes
. It is a political rant bemoaning the failure of the world's leaders to sort out major issues. It implores the leaders of Israel, Palestine, America and the United Kingdom to simply "pick up the phone" and talk to each other. This version is distinguished from the album version by the changing of "Yasser" to "Abbas" in recognition of the death of the former Palestinian leader. The B-side, "Cheney", is blunter, simply telling Dick Cheney
to "stop being such a dick". It is unique amongst singles, in that it is only 28 seconds long.
The video was directed by Hamilton
of British Sea Power
, at a cost of £70. All three tracks were later re-recorded and released as part of the band's debut album, Give Blood
.
Brakes (band)
Brakes is a four member band from Brighton, England. The group formed in 2003. It consists of Eamon Hamilton , Thomas White , Marc Beatty , and Alex White .-Biography:Brakes formed in 2003, when Thomas White and Alex White of The Electric Soft Parade saw Eamon Hamilton perform...
. It is a political rant bemoaning the failure of the world's leaders to sort out major issues. It implores the leaders of Israel, Palestine, America and the United Kingdom to simply "pick up the phone" and talk to each other. This version is distinguished from the album version by the changing of "Yasser" to "Abbas" in recognition of the death of the former Palestinian leader. The B-side, "Cheney", is blunter, simply telling Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
to "stop being such a dick". It is unique amongst singles, in that it is only 28 seconds long.
The video was directed by Hamilton
Hamilton (musician)
Neil Hamilton Wilkinson is the bassist and second vocalist in British Sea Power.Earlier in the band's career, he was the secondary songwriter, his brother Yan writing the majority of the tracks for their first two albums...
of British Sea Power
British Sea Power
British Sea Power are an indie rock band based in Brighton, England, although three of the band members originally come from Kendal in Cumbria. Critics have likened their sound to a variety of groups, from The Cure and Joy Division to the Pixies and Arcade Fire. The band are famed for their live...
, at a cost of £70. All three tracks were later re-recorded and released as part of the band's debut album, Give Blood
Give Blood (Brakes album)
Give Blood is the debut album from the Brighton-based band, Brakes. The album was recorded onto 2" tape and mixed onto 1/4" tape in January 2005. Brakes and their 22-year old producer, Iain Gore, also removed all computer screens from the studio for the week and all the tracks were recorded live,...
.
CD & 7" vinyl
(all songs written by Brakes)- "Pick Up the Phone" – 0:26
- "I Can't Stand to Stand Beside You" – 3:25
- "Cheney" – 0:10