In a sunburned country: The Aussie rock comeback is upon us

Ah, Australia. Land of kangaroos and sausage rolls and Foster’s beer (at least according to the advertisements). Most of what I know about the country comes from Jim Jefferies stand-up and Bill Bryson’s travel writing, meaning I don’t know much. However, one thing I do know for sure? There’s loads of great rock and roll bands of all shapes and sizes popping up on the sunburned continent with no guns. This list barely scratches the surface, but if you’re looking for a place to start in the world of Aussie rock, look no further.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard:

It’s tough to describe this septet using words that haven’t already been used on them. Genre-bending, prolific, psychedelic, heavy, fun, laid back — they absolutely run the gauntlet of most forms of rock music, using a starting platform of energetic psych-punk as a diving board. Their catalog, which only goes as far back as 2012, is already dense, and ranges from spaghetti Western rock operas (Eyes Like the Sky (2013)) to multi-suite prog-metal concept albums (Murder of the Universe (2017)). Boasting two drummers, energetic live shows, and a slew of pure musical talent, they’ve been climbing to the top of the contemporary alt-rock game in a manner all their own, and show no signs of stopping. On top of that, like Barnett, they also run a record label called Flightless, home to all sorts of groups, a couple of which are on this very list!

The Chats:

A power trio from the Gold Coast that loves the simple things in life, The Chats are the foremost reason I’m writing this article. After getting turned onto their iconically Australian video for “Smoko,” featuring copious amounts of Aussie slang, a magnificent ginger mullet, and general hilarity, I was hooked — and, luckily enough, their back catalog doesn’t disappoint either. Most of The Chats’ songs center around themes of drinking, smoking, being broke, and being angry, making for a raucous good ol’ time.

ORB:

One of many great bands on King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s Flightless Records, this group’s blend of catchy psych rock with tinges of stoner metal and garage goodness is a huge hit. This year’s The Space Between picked up where Naturality (2016) left off, another slab of fuzzy, riffy, catchy, wah-wah good times.

Skegss:

This group fills the hole that The Frights and Fidlar left when they both started to suck. Skegss are playing fairly simple surfy punk-pop that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and they aren’t buying into the weird electronic production that has proved to be the downfall of a few of their contemporaries (Zach Carper in the producer’s chair, I’m looking at you).

Courtney Barnett:

This matter of fact singer-songwriter is making huge waves right now, and it’s not hard to see why. Her songs tap into everyday life in a way that most writers can’t pull off, capturing everything from self-doubt to little personal triumphs with blunt, cool, catchy delivery. On top of her collaboration with Kurt Vile, Lotta Sea Lice (2017), her most recent album, this year’s Tell Me How You Really Feel, is an absolute opus. Not only that, but her label, Milk Records, is home to bunches of great bands, including but not limited to Jen Cloher, Tiny Ruins, and Loose Tooth!

The Babe Rainbow:

Not to be confused with the Canadian artist of the same name, this Flightless-signed psychedelic pop group are funking it up in Golden Beach. Their songs are sunny and fun, enough to soundtrack a surf adventure up the coast with your buds, and spacey enough to accompany a stoned night in. On top of that, the trio has got some straight ‘Summer of Love’ fashion sense, and with names like Kool Breeze and Dr. Elliot Love-Wisdom, you know they’re here to spread positive vibes and have a good time, man!

Amyl and the Sniffers:

What’s it with Aussie punk bands and ginger mullets? The Chats aren’t the only ones, and Amyl and the Sniffers are the latest addition to that list. Razor sharp, uptempo punk sets the stage for vocalist Amy Taylor to do her thing, and trust me, her thing is a good thing. Her lyrics are catchy when she wants them to be, succinct when she feels like it, and funny most of the time. Amyl is carrying the torch for the next generation of fed up kids who want to start a punk band and fuck some shit up.

Honorable mentions that I don’t know enough to write blurbs about:

Hockey Dad, Tropical Fuckstorm, Drunk Mums, Cosmic Psychos, Radio Birdman, Frenzal Rhomb

Article by Kieran Zimmer