You Me At Six have beaten all contenders at the top of the Official UK Album Charts with Suckapunch, the Surrey-based band's seventh long-player. Taking a swing at detractors and issuing a full-throated rallying cry for the band's ardent fans, the record's rave reviews have championed a harder sound that concurrently manages to be the band's most eclectic offering yet.
Under the coaching of Prolifica Management, Suckapunch comes out (fighting) on the Underdog/AWAL label. Townsend Music jumped in the ring to host the official Suckapunch store and fulfil fans' online orders for the record, with PR and marketing efforts from Be-Hookd Digital, DawBell and Deviate Digital alongside distribution from Proper Music.
A knockout 85% of sales for Suckapunch were attributed to physical formats, including deluxe CD, cassette and a range of vinyl colourways and special editions. Over half of the physical formats were, according to The Official Charts report, purchased from independent record shops such as Townsend Music; a testament to the dedication of the bands' devoted fanbase: the Sixers.
Honestly, you guys are the best #SixersTilWeDie. You have supported us soo much over the years but this week you have been sensational. - @Maxmeatsix
Sixers is the affectionate name given to the followers of the band, many of whom have matured from teenagers to adulthood alongside the band themselves. The fresh-faced young rockers that released Take Off Your Colours in the midst of the emo-rock craze of 2008 have weathered the slings and arrows of the last dozen years to become the self-assured - some might even say cocksure - grown men dominating the heavyweights of the UK charts.
Recorded over five weeks at Karma Sound studio in Bang Saray with producer Dan Austin, reviews of the record certainly haven't hurt the hype around this classic underdog story, with Kerrang! declaring that "this band remain intent on staying at the cutting edge of modern British rock." NME were similarly convinced, noting that on "every track ‘SUCKAPUNCH’ feels inspired in some way." Clash Music opined that "the band have managed to craft a hard-hitting and forward-thinking record" and DIY Magazine concurred: "This is a version of You Me At Six we’ve never seen before, and it’s certainly bold."
"With more elements of dance and hip hop thrown into their rock hybrid than ever before." - DIY Magazine
Townsend Music's official Suckapunch store included several exclusive vinyl variants of the record: the Splatter signed vinyl, the Transparent Green signed vinyl (originally featured on Spotify Fans First) and the Transparent Violet vinyl, complete with flexidisc. Also proving popular on the store was the band's own recipe Suckapunch Hot Sauce, fortified with the power of Habanero Chilli to take your head off quicker than a right from Tyson Fury. The hot sauce and a full range of formats and merchandise are still available on the Suckapunch store.
A final flurry of retail offensive included an official store-exclusive competition and social media marketing campaign based around a highly desirable competition prize. All pre-orders for the album were entered for the chance to win Matt's Barnes' bass guitar, as seen in the 'Beautiful Way' video, signed by the band!
The Townsend Music Store number one chart success of Suckapunch follows the crowning of Kylie's Disco at the top of the charts in November 2020.
We're placing our bets on more number one hits in 2021; to learn how you or your artist can run an official Townsend Music Store, visit us at Townsend Music today.
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