After almost a decade away from the studio, Newcastle’s Parastatic are back with a new album, ‘Concrete Reborn’, set for release this year. The album marks a new era for the band, with a fresh sound, exciting collaborations, and a long-awaited return to touring. Wayne Madden caught up with the band to discuss their journey, the inspirations behind their new project, and what lies ahead.
Happy New Year! How has 2025 been for Parastatic so far?
It’s been great to start the year with so much going on. We’re in rehearsals for the tour starting in a few weeks and we’ve just shot a video for the next single, ‘Tear It Down,’ so look out for that in a few weeks’ time too!
The new single, ‘With Intent,’ is fantastic. Tell us about the forthcoming album, ‘Concrete Reborn’. How did the project take shape?
Thanks very much! This album has been a long time coming. A few years ago, we took a trip to Berlin for a music festival and were really inspired by the city’s architecture. Coming from Newcastle, we couldn’t help but draw parallels to the city’s redevelopment under T. Dan Smith, who envisioned it as the ‘Brasilia of the North.’ That celebration of brutalism became the foundation for the record. We started recording with Sam Grant pre-COVID and finally finished it last year. A huge part of the process was Jonnie rejoining the band on drums, which led to us re-recording and remixing the entire album, even adding a new song. We’re also thrilled to have the backing of Workie Ticket Records for this release – it’s been a positive shift from releasing albums on our own label.
You’ve also collaborated with Late Girl on the album. How has that shaped the sound?
That’s the biggest change for us and it’s been amazing. We first saw Late Girl perform in Newcastle and were immediately blown away. After playing some gigs together, collaborating on the record felt like a natural next step. Their vocals help tell the story of the album and have completely transformed our sound for the better. We couldn’t be happier with the result and now we’re performing the new songs live with Late Girl on tour.
Speaking of touring, it’s been 10 years since your last tour. How does it feel to be back on the road?
It’s exciting. We’ve arranged to play with old friends in different cities, which makes it even more special. The second date is in Stockton at The Green Room on February 22nd. We love playing in Teesside – it has such a supportive music scene. We’ll finish the tour with a big album launch party at the Star and Shadow in Newcastle on March 1st.
Jonnie Halling is back on drums after a decade. How has his return influenced the band?
We’ve always loved playing with Jonnie – he’s so talented. His drumming has given the record a more in-your-face, purposeful sound, which fits perfectly with the brutalist theme. We’ve shifted away from synth-heavy arrangements this time, focusing more on guitars, and Jonnie’s drumming complements that beautifully.”
Finally, what’s next for Parastatic?
We’re just taking things one step at a time – no grand plans yet. But one thing’s for sure, we’ll try not to leave it another 10 years between records!
With ‘Concrete Reborn’, Parastatic has returned with a sense of purpose, seamlessly blending the past with the present. As the tour kicks off and the album takes shape, it’s clear that the band’s decade-long hiatus was worth the wait.
To keep up-to-date with Parastatic, follow them on Instagram at /parastatic.
