Violent Soho
June 13, 2010 by Andrew Watt
Filed under New Artists Worth Knowing
Brisbane four piece Violent Soho are making a big splash internationally being signed to the label run by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth. Their self titled album is out on Moore’s Ecstatic Peace label in the US and they have been touring there strongly since the release.
The band line-up is Luke Boerdam on guitar/vocals, James Tidswell on guitar/vocals, Luke Henery on bass and Michael Richards on drums.
There’s been much made of the fact that the band wear flannel shirts and many commentators have labelled them the first band in the second coming of grunge but to me they sound a lot more like Smashing Pumpkins than Nirvana, Soundgarden or Mudhoney. Some may argue that that’s not a huge distinction but to these ears the structure of the songs and Boerdam’s vocal style scream Billy Corgan.
But the bottom line – regardless who they sound like – is that they are a really good heavy rock band. The rhythm section drives with the power of a sledgehammer, the guitars snarl and Boerdam’s lyrics are an authentic statement of suburban white boy angst. The album was produced by the venerable Gil Norton who has the band sounding great (no surprises there) and all in all they have offered up a superior album.
Highlights of the disc include the attention grabbing opener Here Be Dragons, the single Jesus Stole My Girlfriend, Generation, Muscle Junkie (with the obligatory “fuck you” refrain) and the very punk rock Love Is A Heavy Word. The more reflective Outsider shows a different side to the band and especially to Boerdam’s vocal.
Violent Soho may not be the most original sounding band but they are a welcome addition to a family of bands that produced some pretty essential music in their day. There could be a lot worse influences to have. I like ‘em.
To celebrate the release in Australia, the boys will embark on an East Coast tour during July, which will also coincide with their appearance at this year’s Splendour In The Grass.
Thursday, July 22: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Friday, July 23: Annandale Hotel, Sydney
Saturday, July 24: The Zoo, Brisbane