Unreal World

Zoo Freaks, get ready to dive into the gritty vibes of Unreal World by The Godfathers, a track from their 1991 album of the same name. This song kicks off with backward-masked chants that fade into crunching guitar riffs, setting the stage for Peter Coyne’s biting commentary on London’s social struggles—homelessness, hunger, and a world gone “unreal.” Interestingly, some fans on Amazon reviews have admitted to skipping the title track, finding it less compelling than the album’s power-pop gems like “Believe In Yourself” or the shimmering Side Two tracks. Yet, the song’s raw energy and provocative lyrics, like “London’s mourning skies turned black,” resonate with the band’s no-nonsense rock ethos. The album also features a cover of The Creation’s 1968 single “How Does It Feel to Feel,” a nod to their influences, produced with a nod to the late Vic Maile, who engineered the original Creation track.

The creation of Unreal World marked a transitional moment for The Godfathers. The album introduced guitarist Chris Burrows, who replaced Kris Dollimore and brought a fresh dynamic to the band’s sound. Burrows, formerly of Explosion, joined just ten days before touring, yet fit seamlessly into their dual-guitar fury, as noted in a 1991 article from oocities.org. Fans on The Godfathers’ official Facebook often praise the album’s maturity, with one reviewer on Amazon calling it a “real gem” for its brighter, more conciliatory tone compared to earlier, harder-hitting records. The song’s lyrics, with lines like “I’ve been walking ‘cross vast empty spaces,” reflect a personal and societal disillusionment, which Peter Coyne delivered with his signature intense, breathy vocals.

The Godfathers were born in South London in 1985, rising from the ashes of The Sid Presley Experience, a band led by brothers Peter Coyne (vocals) and Chris Coyne (bass). After legal issues forced a name change, they recruited Kris Dollimore and Michael Gibson on guitars, George Mazur on drums, and kicked off with a three-track EP, Capo Di Tutti Capi, on their Corporate Image label. By 1986, they were tearing up the UK independent charts with three Top Ten singles, compiled into their seminal Hit By Hit album. Their raw, primal rock—blending punk, R&B, and hard rock—earned them a fierce live reputation, as seen in posts on their X account. Partnering with producer Vic Maile, who’d worked with The Kinks and The Who, they dropped their Epic debut Birth, School, Work, Death in 1988, with the title track hitting No. 1 on college radio.

The band’s journey wasn’t without turbulence. After Maile’s death in 1989 and Dollimore’s exit, Unreal World became a pivotal release, though it didn’t catapult them to mainstream fame. Fans on The Godfathers’ Instagram still celebrate their electrifying live shows, like a sweaty 2004 Birmingham gig at The Hare and Hounds. The band imploded in 2001 but reformed in 2008, with Peter Coyne leading a new lineup. Their 2017 album A Big Bad Beautiful Noise earned rave reviews, and their 2019 live album This Is War!—fe#x27; includes Unreal World—captures their enduring energy, as shared on Bandcamp.

For more on The Godfathers, check out their official website at thegodfathersofficial.com, where you can find tour dates and merch. Stay connected via their social media on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans gather at the Godfathers Fan Club on Facebook, a lively group sharing memories, rare photos, and updates. You can also dig into their discography on Discogs or stream their music on Apple Music.