So I was having a conversation with Neil from Teargas last month and he asks: "You heard Total Control?" Thinking the name sounded familiar or I at some point in my travels saw one of their records in the bargain bin at Missing Link I replied with: "Names familiar, where they from?" His reply: "Melbourne, Darkwave apparently." Ehhh? A darkwave band in Melbourne and I haven't been informed till now? I went to investigate. Turns out Total Control features Dan the writer of prominent Punk/Hardcore Fanzine 'Distort' and member of Straightjacket Nation and UV Race. I'm no stranger to Dan's ramblings in Distort and Maximum R&R regarding Christian Death, Rikk Agnew, Naked on the Vague etc. so naturally I was intrigued to suss this band out. Nabbing the LP and putting it on the turntable I thought I had this bands stylistic origins sussed. Wrong.I've found it very difficult to
rate this LP, when I first heard it I wasn't impressed. It sounded so varied I couldn't pinpoint what sort of sound was trying to be conveyed. On one hand you have this ferocious garage rock and no wave vibe featured in some of the early songs, then it takes a turn towards post punk/darkwave reminiscent of Bauhaus. There are subtle things throughout this record that give away what the band is trying to do. The guitars in parts for example are textbook Rikk Agnew and Dan's vocals shift between Pete Murphy and Rozz Williams and even delves into something along Cacophony era Rudimentary Peni . Your probably wondering if this record is even worth your time? Well after listening to it on repeat I can safely it is. Will definitely drive the 'herdcore' SJN fans around the bend not knowing which way to look.This record isn't for everyone but it will certainly grow on you with time, and if you are a fan of Post-punk/darkwave/Garage/Synth punk, then you're in for a tantalising treat with many different flavours.
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1. See More Glass
2. Retiree
3. One more Tonight
4. The Hammer
5. Stonehenge
6. Carpet Rash
7. Shame thugs
8. No Bibs
9. Meds
10. Sunday Baker
11. Love Performance
You're from MELBOURNE man, in the MELBOURNE PUNK SCENE, how did you not here about this? ha ha
ReplyDeleteHaha perhaps I've been too busy concerntrating on whats going on abroad and not paying attention to my Australia.
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