8track: Attention Thieves

Let us take you on a magical trip back to the 90s. MC Hammer pants were all the rage and Walkmen were the height of new technology. Keeping this in mind, over the past few months we've been getting in touch with bands around the country and asking them to create a metaphorical mixtape containing, you guessed it, eight tracks!

Reading 4-piece rock band Attention Thieves bring us an 8-track that shows their diverse musical tastes as a group. Soul, metal, dubstep, punk-rock; this 8-track has it all. Say the band: “ The name of our mixtape is ‘The Oliver Reed Secret Tattoo’. We have chosen 8 tracks between us, which was a little difficult to decide. A fair bit of compromising had to be done but these are the tracks that, as a group, we felt would make the cut.”

Title: Can’t Say

Artist: Attention Thieves

Reason: Because it’s our new single that came out on the 6/6/11. A combination of rock attitude and a sing-along chorus… Oh and it’s our band!

Title: The Boss

Artist: James Brown

Reason: Because it’s probably the coolest track and the best ‘get ready’ song for a night out.

Title: Rational Gaze

Artist: Meshuggah

Reason: Because it was the track that got us into Meshuggah, and at the time we felt it was mind blowing. We had never heard anything like this before; they are the originators of djent. Plus it would sound funny as hell coming after James Brown.

Title: My Hero

Artist: Foo Fighters

Reason: It’s their best song from their best album, and an absolute masterpiece. The best track the Foo Fighters have ever recorded and the best they ever will.

Title: Back to School

Artist: Deftones

Reason: This song came out around the time we all got into listening to bands so it’s fitting that we include it on the mixtape. The guitar tone is super heavy and it’s got that classic Chino style chorus.

Title: Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Artist: Glassjaw

Reason: Glassjaw’s diversity and range is something that we all agree provided a breath of fresh air to the music scene, especially when this song came out. The vocal style is so unique that you cannot mistake them for anyone else. They provide intensity and emotion throughout the track.

Title: Lights

Artist: Ellie Goulding (Eyes Remix)

Reason: Some of us are big fans of dubstep and this remix is a great example of what we love about the genre. If we could have one song to get us in the mood for a big night out it’s this.

Title: London Calling

Artist: The Clash

Reason: An iconic and classic song by one of the best bands of the era, it captured the mood and thoughts of the 80’s. Simple but effective this song is a fitting end to the mixtape.


Find out more about Attention Thieves at www.attentionthieves.co.uk