Every so often a band comes along that has everything your ears want in an album and for me the two records released by Amyl And The Sniffers have all that in abundance. In front if a packed Albert Hall they take to the stage and blast through ‘Go F**k Yourself’ and ‘Freaks To The Front’ with singer Amy dancing around the stage with more energy than the national grid. “Alright Manchester, let’s get rowdy!” she shouts and the crowd don’t need to be asked twice, the front half of the Albert Hall becomes a moshpit of bodies jumping around “If anyone goes down, you help them back up” Amy adds.
‘Maggot’ another tune from the most recent album ‘Comfort To Me’ has another huge chorus which finds the crowd singing along again, as does the anthemic “I Got You” from the self-titled debut album. ‘Security’ has the crowd singing along with its refrains of ‘”Security will you let me in your pub, I’m looking for trouble, I’m looking for love”. This lot have melodic punked up tunes by the bucketload with guitarist Dec Martens, powering the riffs along, while bassist Gus Romer and drummer Bryce Wilson bring the solid punk rock backbone to proceedings.
When I spoke to the band last year via zoom, as the album ‘Comfort To Me’ was released, guitarist Dec was at a chippy in Melbourne, and the band went on to declare their love of the humble chippy. No surprise then that bassist Gus caught on to the the Tik Tok viral chippy song, as he tries to lead the crowd in a singalong of ‘Binley Mega Chippy’ much to the confusion of any non Tik Tokkers (i.e. me, who subsequently had to Google it!).
‘Choices’ is a hardcore stomper of a tune as is ‘Laughing’ during which Amy takes her trousers off and dances around the stage in her undies, to the self deprecating lyrics of “Everybody’s laughing, everybody’s laughing at me”, it’s possibly a big two fingers up to all those who ever doubted this lot could make it.
Ending with the riotous ‘Hertz’ they are proof that Aussie punk rock is alive and well, and in safe hands.
Photo Credit: Steve Oi!
From the early days of creating handmade zines, in a DIY paper and glue style, interviewing bands around town, then pestering Piccadilly Records to sell them, to writing for various independent mags such as Chimp and Ablaze, writing about the music I love is still a great passion. After testing the music industry waters in London with stints at various labels, being back in my hometown again, writing about this city’s vibrant music scene is as exciting as ever. All time favourite bands include Sonic Youth, Nick Cave, Patti Smith although anything from electro to folk via blues and pysch rock will also do nicely too. A great album, is simply a great album, regardless of whatever musical cage you put it in.
