March 2023 Noteworthy New Releases
Our favourite tunes of the month.
THE EMPTY THREATS – ‘ATACB’
“The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.” – Bruce Springsteen.
Mr Springsteen is known as ‘The Boss’: apparently he earned this nickname while playing with the group Earth, where he was responsible for collecting the band’s earnings and distributing it among the members. Nevertheless, this testimonial is one of commanding stature and, given how harrowing the world can be in this day and age, any assistance to undertake the challenges set before humankind should be readily available.
Adelaide’s post-punk quintet The Empty Threats are music weaponry to face the world with. Their new single ATACB is a spasmodic fury of noise rock clashing with euphoric spoken word passages, glorious theatrical choruses, harmonious and devastating duets. It’s also a reflection of what our reality has despondently become. Are you feeling free? is sung and screamed in unison, and momentarily one has to somewhat question ones existence. However, these four minutes of musical eclecticism blend Viagra Boys with Swans and Talking Heads’ impulses, to create a potion of strength that will have listeners filled and threatening.
Words by Will Oakeshott
KOTARA – ‘DARTS’
The classification of music into genre or subgenre has become a science in itself. With each new emerging and distinctive artist or group, it seems an assignment of “groundbreaking sound description” follows them like their profiling shadow. This concept can actually be quite the compliment as outfits are likened to their inspirations – but it can also be restricting and even confusing. ‘Simpsonwave’? Just baffling.
‘Garage Rock’ is a far simpler subgenre which was conceived from the notion of rock bands that started in their garage. It may sound amateur, but it birthed some absolute greats of rock ‘n’roll including The Sonics and Paul Revere and the Raiders.
Adelaide’s Kotara fit into the garage rock scope. For a young group, their single Darts exhibits that formula of the greats, only with their own spectacular spin. Raw fuzzed out zest with jangly guitars and catchy hooks – the type that people find themselves “hip shaking” to before they even realise it. The short, sharp and lively delivery is undoubtedly made for the stage. Furthermore, the jingle also discusses excess drinking and smoking darts, so The Chats would in all likelihood give this cool commotion The Clap (the applause definition).
Words by Will Oakeshott
JANINE’S FAVOURITE – ‘ONE DAY’
The 2004 movie Garden State was geek-heartthrob Zach Braff’s feature-length directing and writing debut which went on to be nominated for the Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. However, its biggest success was the soundtrack for the film which was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. This in turn, it’s argued, was partly responsible for propelling The Shins into the mainstream where they became indie rock darlings.
Adelaide’s Janine’s Favourite do not appear on the award-winning soundtrack, but their new momentous single One Day could possibly appear on the sequel – if that is Mr Braff ever writes the follow-up movie and dares to look beyond Spotify playlists called ‘Great emotional indie pop rock songs’. Regardless, this anthem – surely motivated by Gang Of Youths and Into It. Over It. – is made for character realisation scenes in film. Movie makers, please take note.
Words by Will Oakeshott
BAD//DREEMS – ‘SEE YOU TOMORROW’
“It’s gonna be a big year for television, it’s gonna be a big year for News Corp, its gonna be a big year for Kochie, it’s gonna be a good year for Pulsar.”
Bad//Dreems’ lead singer Ben Marwe’s lyrics are a constant stream of random one-liners, channelling Mitch Hedberg if he’d grown up on West Ends, FUIC’s and amphetamines. The song See You Tomorrow covers everything from childhood drives in the Mitsubishi Magna, to cock and balls on the walls of Pizza Hutt, to The Fall of Eastern Russia.
The track has a heavy driving guitar and a shrill riff, channelling the pub/punk rock sounds of Australia in the ’80s and ’90s. It brings to mind bands like Cosmic Psychos and Eddy Current Suppression Ring – only, Bad//Dreems have brought it to the modern day and made the sound their own. That same sound is being honoured by local bands like West Thebarton, King Jeff and The How Are Yous (especially their latest release, Spinning Cactus) and all-girl three-piece STELLAR, who have just signed to Daybed Records. It’s a sound that’s speaking for Adelaide’s rock scene.
See You Tomorrow joins Mansfield 6.0 and Jack as the newest releases from album HOO HA (coming out May 19, 2023). Destined to be an Aussie pub/punk rock classic, one thing is certain – it’s gonna be a good year.
Words by Hugh Mann
