The Who’s Pete Townshend has co-produced and makes a guest appearance on Afterglow, the upcoming second album by U.K. rock band The Wild Things, which is scheduled to be released on September 13. According to an announcement, Afterglow is a concept album that “tells the story of the residents of the fictional town of Valentine amidst a paranormal phenomenon.”
Townshend played organ on “Drunk Again,” a song from Afterglow that was released as an advance track in June 2024. The instrument was the same keyboard that Pete played on The Who’s classic 1971 song “Baba O’Riley.” When he completed his session with The Wild Things, he gave the band the organ as a gift.
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Written by Townshend’s Wife]
Townshend, who has served as a mentor for The Wild Things since the band first formed, says of his recent collaboration with the band, “I loved working with the Wild Things on the music that became Afterglow. The songs are rocking, but also full of nuances and witty cleverness. They are a fireball of energy and creativity … Every one of them is so talented.”
About the Afterglow Announcement Trailer
Townshend also is heard in a new cinematic trailer for Afterglow. The four-minute video begins with note on the screen announcing that the project is “the world’s first choose your own adventure album.” A young man and woman are then shown sitting together on a park bench having a romantic conversation. After some tender moments, the man comments, “Nothing ever happens in Valentine.”
The scene then shifts, and we see an eccentric scientist telling a teenage boy that he’s invented “the world’s first true love machine.”
The boy asks the scientist why he created the machine. “Because true love drives everything. Don’t you see?” the crazed scientist responds, then goes on a diatribe about the importance of true love.
After a couple more scenes changes, we hear Townshend’s voice speaking to teenager as sits alone in his bedroom.
“Music! It’s all about music, man,” the rock legend declares. “Music makes you f—! It makes you fight! He continued, “It makes you move! It makes you party!”
The boy enthusiastically responds, “Yeah, Pete Townshend! You’re totally right, Pete Townshend!”
Suddenly, the young man’s mother opens the door to his room and asks, “Who are you talking to?”
The boy excitedly replies, “Pete Townshend! Pete Townshend!” His mom then comments, “Who?” and the teen comically says, “Yeah.”
After his incredulous mother leaves his room, Townshend scolds the boy, saying, “I told you not to say my bloody name!”
As the trailer nears its end, a note on the screen explains, “In the town of valentine, he extraordinary lives of ordinary residents collide within.” The promo ends with footage of Wild Things singer Sydney Rae White singing Afterglow’s title track.
New Wild Things Single
Along with the debut of the trailer, The Wild Things released another advance track from Afterglow, “Come Around.” A companion music video for the tune premiered on the band’s YouTube channel. The “pop-up video”-style clip features some information that ties in with Afterglow’s concept.
More About The Wild Things and Townshend’s Association with the Band
In addition to fronting The Wild Things, White also is an actress who’s appeared in a variety of TV shows and films.
Townshend played an important role in the creation of The Wild Things, which also features White’s brother Cameron on bass; her husband, Rob Kendrick, on guitar; and Pete Wheeler on drums.
“Syd is a sort of rock star triumph,” Townshend said. “She is a great singer and actress. I’ve known her since before she was kicking off the band with her brother. She played the part of Jimmy’s love object in my touring production of Quadrophenia. Rob, her husband, also in the Wild Things, was also in Quadrophenia UK tour. And he and Syd fell in love. So I am not only their record producer I am also their CUPID.”
In 2021, Townshend contributed guitar to a Wild Things song called “Only Attraction.”
The band also has opened for The Who on a number of occasions, including at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2022.
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