Words: James Frostick Band image: Lewis Hodgson Cover art: Roland Hlavka
An assortment of musicians from underground hitters such as Cuntz, Exek, Ausmuteants and Spray Paint have converged to form Spiritual Mafia – a five-man unit that taps into a more primitive side of post-punk. In March the crew will release its debut album Alfresco via Anti Fade Records, but not before making pulses quicken with lead single ‘Body’ – a muscular slab of vigorous and vaguely malevolent chug that is propelled by a sense of primeval physicality.Continue reading Premiere: SPIRITUAL MAFIA – ‘BODY’→
Words: James Frostick Band Image: Jamie Wdziekonski
After dominating 2020 with two highly regarded releases, Naarm/Melbourne psychedelic-rhythmic juggernaut Bananagun is looking to make it a victorious trifecta. The group is capping off its phenomenal run with a timely reissue of its 2019 ‘Do Yeah’ 7″ single. ‘Crane In The Tiger’s Mouth’ – a previously unreleased track crafted during the ‘Do Yeah’ sessions – documents the group’s foray into whimsical jazz-infused territory.
Tom Ridgewell – member of Naarm/Melbourne underground luminaries Constant Mongrel, Woollen Kits and Calamari Girls – is stepping away from a band framework to create under his solo moniker TB Ridge As The Director. In November TB Ridge will be dropping a five-track EP via Anti Fade Records that doubles as a love letter to good old-fashioned rock’n’roll. Lead single ‘Rock N Roll Heart’ showcases a playful subversion of stylistic hallmarks that have been imbued with Tom’s own charismatic musical essence.
Words: James Frostick Band image: Jamie Wdziekonski
Smarts – a fresh Naarm/Melbourne-based crew comprised of members of Ausmuteants, Parsnip and The Living Eyes – are today announcing their forthcoming debut LP, which is landing in mid-October. The album’s name Who Needs Smarts, Anyway? poses an interesting question but lead single ‘Cling Wrap’ quickly provides an answer – Smarts is vital for anyone with a taste for whirling madcap sax-fuelled punk.
Words: James Frostick Artist image: Carolyn Hawkins
On October 2 Alien Nosejob will drop its second full-length LP of 2020. Once Again The Present Becomes The Past is an adventurous concept record focusing on the 1942 Bombing of Darwin, examined through a hardcore-punk lens. Today we’re premiering lead single ‘Airborne Toxic Event’ – a galloping heater that strikes quickly and relentlessly. Continue reading Premiere: ALIEN NOSEJOB – ‘AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT’→
Two years on from the release of their debut LP New Age and one year removed from 2019’s Company Man EP, Geelong-born punk foursome Vintage Crop return with a new full-length record in the pipeline called Serve to Serve Again. Today we’re premiering the record’s first single ‘Gridlock’ – a nimble and nervy punk number that’s the perfect antidote for bumper-to-bumper peak-hour frustration.
Words: James Frostick Band image: Jamie Wdziekonski
After micro-dosing the masses with a couple of vibrant lead-up singles, Bananagun are mere weeks away from releasing their debut LP The True Story of Bananagun. Before the record’s kaleidoscopic splendour is truly revealed, the group has one more taster to offer. ‘The Master’ is an entrancing number that exhibits the band’s knack for penning psychedelic jams with equal portions of measured restraint and uninhibited release.Continue reading Listen: BANANAGUN – ‘THE MASTER’→
Words: James Frostick Band image: Jamie Wdziekonski
Cover art: Stella Rennex
Throw back the curtains and let the sun in – Parsnip is back with a brand-new four-song EP in tow! We’ve got the first spin of lead single ‘Adding Up’ – a signature Parsnip snappy pop-rock bop about making ends meet.
In an effort to keep track of the year’s best recorded material, Weirdo Wasteland will be releasing monthly round-ups of albums that we didn’t have enough time to cover in depth at the time of release. Although these are shorter write-ups, review length shouldn’t be taken as an indicator of album quality – everything listed is good and should be given proper time of day to indulge appropriately. Here is the best of what arrived in January …
Two years on from the release of their stellar LP Amici, Melbourne’s Primo! return with the first cut off follow-up record Sogni. Lead single ‘Best and Fairest’ is a thoughtful number that explores the idea of a perfect life – the choices we make and how they enrich or devalue the quality of our existence.
Weirdo Wasteland is an Australian-based music blog that examines musical endeavour from the cultural fringe. The site regularly features reviews and interviews from the underground scenes from Australia and New Zealand. Weirdo Wasteland acknowledges the original custodians of the land upon which it operates. Sovereignty has never been ceded. To get in touch, contact: weirdowasteland (at) gmail.com
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