Sports Team released their superb debut, ‘Deep Down Happy’ as the country was firmly in the grip of Covid. The happy-go-lucky record was a well needed distraction, taking aim at modern life and poking fun at the middle classes. ‘Happy’ is no different thematically: the band have a knack for taking the piss, this time with cottagecore, tax returns and Nigel Farage’s political stomping ground Thanet firmly in the crosshairs.

The video that accompanies the track plays out like a fever dream as the band re-enact The Wicker Man. Dishy frontman Alex Rice is clad in an eminently stylish suit, fag in hand, delivering the tongue in cheek lyrics, whilst the rest of the band are clad in a variety of costumes to play out the re-enactment.

Video for Happy (God’s Own Country) out now. Directed by Georgina Cammalleri — special thanks to Micheal, Sue, Judith and the Phoenix Morris troupehttps://t.co/glQ2jVUR5A pic.twitter.com/dpFq3K3R1z

— Sports Team (@SportsTeam_) April 22, 2021

Rice’s lyrics vary from the obscene to the strikingly relevant as he vocalises concerns about the alt-right. The track itself feels like a two and a half minute satirisation of the misplaced patriotism and flag-loving at the heart of Tory Britain right now.

Earlier this year, Sports Team announced ‘Plant Test’ a compilation of unmastered work, b-sides and rarities. The vinyl release is being sold exclusively through independent stores and is set for release at the end of May.

The band are scheduled to play a UK tour, stopping off at a variety of well loved venues up and down the country. They are yet to take to the stage following ‘Deep Down Happy’, but I get the sense that Sports Team’s upcoming tour is sure to be a huge party.

if ‘Happy’ is anything to go by, we can expect more of the same from Sports Team: raucous, fun and satirical. As the sun has started to break through this week, ‘Happy’ is prefect beer-garden music.

‘Stations of the Cross’ is something of a profound song title, and the lyrics betray a real shrewdness. “Weekends follow weekends / like the stations of the cross” Rice sings. “And it’s not that you’re unhappy you’re just happy on and off.” Under the surface of a flashy, cool setup at Kennington’s iconic cricket ground, there lies a bleakness about growing older and disillusioned. It strikes a great contrast with Sports Teams’ unique, and cheery, guitar band sound.

Sports Team rarely take themselves too seriously, though. From their record label account, Holm Front, they called it a “mostly competent version.” They are underselling themselves; the energy of the video is contagious.

Deep Down Happy has been nominated for the 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize, which will be announced live on The One Show next Thursday (September 24). Although there won’t be a ceremony on the scale of previous years, there will be plenty of TV and radio coverage throughout next week to celebrate all the nominees. The full run of events can be found here.

Speaking to NME about their upcoming nomination, Alex Rice said, “I’d rather win The Mercury Prize than anything else. It’s just bigger than anything else. It does feel like recognition from people just like us, who are obsessed with music, which is incredible.”

All in all, it’s been a big week for Sports Team. With precedent out of the window, what better way to prepare for an awards ceremony than by attempting to beat Pete Doherty’s time on the mega breakfast challenge at Margate’s Dalby Café? This is what guitarist Henry Young got up to yesterday – the band shared the following pictures of his attempt. For those interested, the breakfast consists of four rashers of bacon, four fried eggs, four sausages, onion rings, mushrooms, beans, bubble and squeak, hash browns, two slices of toast and – of course – a quarter-pounder burger with a side of chips.

Pete Doherty, if you have any pride, you will come down to the Dolby and defend your title pic.twitter.com/yZ5veZw7U3

— Sports Team (@SportsTeam_) September 15, 2020

Unlike Doherty, Young didn’t finish. Sports Team followed up with a tweet that just says “flop team”. 

Next April, Sports Team are heading up and down the country for a small UK and Ireland tour – although they won’t be returning to Margate on this occasion. You can see where to catch them below.

20/04/21 – The Grand Social – Dublin
22/04 – Leeds University Stylus – Leeds
23/04 – The Albert Hall – Manchester
25/04 – Rock City – Nottingham
26/04 – SWG3 – Glasgow
28/04 – SWX Bristol – Bristol
29/04 – O2 Academy Brixton – London