Rust
I love it when a CD arrives in the post, so when I opened the package the other day to find the live album from Australian punk unit Rust inside, I was looking forward to seeing what it held in store. Recorded at The Excelsior Hotel in Sydney back in 2010, this promises to be an example of Australian street punk at it’s finest, showing off the skills of a band who have previously played along side the likes of Sham 69, Rose Tattoo and The Dead Kennedys. In the words of the band themselves, Oi Oi Aussie Rock N’ Roll – here we go.
From the moment the album gets going it’s clear that this is a live band at heart, the heavy hitting guitar lines of Bang Bang Bang taking the lead and showing how much control the band has over their audience. Fast paced, firmly rooted in punk and full of energy, this track sets the scene for what is to follow and does it damned well. As You Aint Lived and Black Rats continue the album the same can be said, each track coming along to keep that energy flowing and showing off what real music is when it’s hammered out on a live stage. The latter of the tracks presents an interesting comparison as it comes in to being, initially sounding more soft and laid back than the previous two tracks, but soon picking up the pace to continue where they left off. The thing that really stood out for me was how good the band sound despite it being a live recording, showing that they’re capable of hammering out the best of real punk music but equally, can throw out some melodic moments when the mood takes them, just to show they can if they want to!
Continuing the progression of both the album and the live show, Anita comes up next and presents us with a more conventional punk track, the bass heavy rhythms of the track rumbling behind the scenes to keep the mix deep and powerful whilst the raspy and powerful vocal lines do all of the talking that’s needed, showing that energy is one of the key elements to these guys. It’s incredible listening to this as whilst it plays, you can almost imagine being there watching it for yourself, the recording has not only captured the sound of the band, but also the ambience of the room and the general vibe of the audience watching. Urban Legends, Spirit Of The Anzacs and Oi Oi Aussie Rock N Roll all pay further testament to this, each track hammering the band onwards and creating a sense of live power, the sort of thing which renews your faith in live music. Oi Oi Aussie Rock N Roll was a particular high point on the album for me, presenting a track which is going to get you chanting along, moving along, and secure these guys a slot as a band we need to get over to these shores to build their audience here!
Rock N Roll Gunslinger is another high point on the record, once again presenting a bass heavy melee of hammering guitar lines, pounding drum lines and vocals straight out of the punk rule book, resulting in a mix which is impossible to resist. This is another track which captures the energy of the band and sets them apart from the normal punk scene, instead showing a band who love what they do, and do what they love – as well as doing it damned well. The arrival of Chaos brings about the first of two tracks not from the band but instead by The 4Skins (cool band name), presenting us with an all out punk track but with an edge of rock n roll, showing that the two go hand in hand and sound damned good when combined. Sounding almost funky at times, the feel of this track is of one which is going to get people moving, dancing and jumping around the place like loons! It’s no shock then that Skinhead From The Burbs continues this idea, hammering out what is clearly an audience favourite and once again launching us into a track which is impossible to sit still to! Powerful and urgent throughout, the audience participation in this track elevates it to another new place, showing off the control over their fans once again and demonstrating a clear understanding of how to craft their tracks.
Closing the album with Memory Lane and A.C.A.B (the second track from The 4Skins) there’s little doubt left that this is punk created out of love for the genre and a desire to play music. The final moments of the album are perhaps the most energetic of the entire album, not necessarily saving the best for last but certainly leaving two tracks which are going to secure the reputation of these guys on the live scene. It’s a powerful, fast and no holds barred close to the album – but let’s be honest – did we expect anything less?!
I’ve always been a big fan of punk music and all too often find myself annoyed when a band says they’re punk when they’re clearly not – but luckily that’s not the case here! Rust have taken a genre and crafted their songs to firmly fit within it, yet have also managed to add their own take on the genre to the mix showing their love and enjoyment for what they do which in turn, excites those who hear it! If you’re looking for an album which is downright energy in musical form, and shows off a band who we need to get over here to the UK, then this could well be it – one to get on and check out!
To find out more about Rust, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
From the moment the album gets going it’s clear that this is a live band at heart, the heavy hitting guitar lines of Bang Bang Bang taking the lead and showing how much control the band has over their audience. Fast paced, firmly rooted in punk and full of energy, this track sets the scene for what is to follow and does it damned well. As You Aint Lived and Black Rats continue the album the same can be said, each track coming along to keep that energy flowing and showing off what real music is when it’s hammered out on a live stage. The latter of the tracks presents an interesting comparison as it comes in to being, initially sounding more soft and laid back than the previous two tracks, but soon picking up the pace to continue where they left off. The thing that really stood out for me was how good the band sound despite it being a live recording, showing that they’re capable of hammering out the best of real punk music but equally, can throw out some melodic moments when the mood takes them, just to show they can if they want to!
Continuing the progression of both the album and the live show, Anita comes up next and presents us with a more conventional punk track, the bass heavy rhythms of the track rumbling behind the scenes to keep the mix deep and powerful whilst the raspy and powerful vocal lines do all of the talking that’s needed, showing that energy is one of the key elements to these guys. It’s incredible listening to this as whilst it plays, you can almost imagine being there watching it for yourself, the recording has not only captured the sound of the band, but also the ambience of the room and the general vibe of the audience watching. Urban Legends, Spirit Of The Anzacs and Oi Oi Aussie Rock N Roll all pay further testament to this, each track hammering the band onwards and creating a sense of live power, the sort of thing which renews your faith in live music. Oi Oi Aussie Rock N Roll was a particular high point on the album for me, presenting a track which is going to get you chanting along, moving along, and secure these guys a slot as a band we need to get over to these shores to build their audience here!
Rock N Roll Gunslinger is another high point on the record, once again presenting a bass heavy melee of hammering guitar lines, pounding drum lines and vocals straight out of the punk rule book, resulting in a mix which is impossible to resist. This is another track which captures the energy of the band and sets them apart from the normal punk scene, instead showing a band who love what they do, and do what they love – as well as doing it damned well. The arrival of Chaos brings about the first of two tracks not from the band but instead by The 4Skins (cool band name), presenting us with an all out punk track but with an edge of rock n roll, showing that the two go hand in hand and sound damned good when combined. Sounding almost funky at times, the feel of this track is of one which is going to get people moving, dancing and jumping around the place like loons! It’s no shock then that Skinhead From The Burbs continues this idea, hammering out what is clearly an audience favourite and once again launching us into a track which is impossible to sit still to! Powerful and urgent throughout, the audience participation in this track elevates it to another new place, showing off the control over their fans once again and demonstrating a clear understanding of how to craft their tracks.
Closing the album with Memory Lane and A.C.A.B (the second track from The 4Skins) there’s little doubt left that this is punk created out of love for the genre and a desire to play music. The final moments of the album are perhaps the most energetic of the entire album, not necessarily saving the best for last but certainly leaving two tracks which are going to secure the reputation of these guys on the live scene. It’s a powerful, fast and no holds barred close to the album – but let’s be honest – did we expect anything less?!
I’ve always been a big fan of punk music and all too often find myself annoyed when a band says they’re punk when they’re clearly not – but luckily that’s not the case here! Rust have taken a genre and crafted their songs to firmly fit within it, yet have also managed to add their own take on the genre to the mix showing their love and enjoyment for what they do which in turn, excites those who hear it! If you’re looking for an album which is downright energy in musical form, and shows off a band who we need to get over here to the UK, then this could well be it – one to get on and check out!
To find out more about Rust, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls