Bangers are back. Two years after ‘Crazy Fucking Dreams’, the Cornish trio are releasing their third full length, ‘Bird’ – 10 tracks of amazing punk for anyone who has felt isolated, different or just at war with the world. Recorded in a proper studio for the first time, ‘Bird’ truly captures the energy that Bangers display when playing live in a way their previous records just missed out on.
The album starts with ‘No!’ Squealing feedback leads into guitarist/vocalist Roo Pescod’s yell of “No!” that really sets the tone for the whole record. ‘Bird’ is defiant and snotty and does whatever it wants to do. Bangers have never been concerned with being different, highlighted by their ‘Mysterious Ways’ release last year when the band wrote, recorded and released a record in 48 hours and made it available for just 48 hours (sure, it’s coming out on record in August but, whatever).
Pescod’s voice has improved immensely, which isn’t to say that on previous Bangers releases it was bad – ‘Bird’ just allows him to show his range a little more. On ‘Mannequin’, he hits some crazy high notes and the slow beginning to ‘The Trousers of Time’ allows Pescod room to showcase a softer side to his talents.
Not only has Pescod’s voice improved, all three members continue to be goddamn excellent at their instruments. Hamish Adams is a relentlessly incredible drummer, playing so stupidly fast and throwing out some of the weirdest and disjointed fills that catch you off guard in the best way. Pescod’s guitar playing has that wonderful quality that you only find in a very select few bands who all seem to hail from that deep south coast, and Andrew Vivian Horne’s bass pushes and forces the record on with a ceaseless energy.
The album will make you nod your head and tap your feet and wish you were watching these songs live in a sweaty room stumbling over your friends to sing along with Pescod’s inventive and relatable lyrics. For anyone who’s ever felt pissed off with having to try and fit in and be ‘cool’ or ‘normal’ without ever really knowing what that is, this Bangers record for you. It’s for the freaks and the weirdos and the nerds.
‘Bird’ sees Bangers hitting some almost Weezer-esque influences on ‘Never Be Clean Again’ and the chorus (if you can call a chant a chorus) of ‘Asimov’ wouldn’t sound out of place on a Futureheads record. This is what Bangers do really well, they constantly do things that you don’t expect them to do. They are so much more inventive and brave than any other ‘punk’ band going at the minute and still manage to write songs that are catchy as fuck and will stay in your head for days. This record will give punk something to think about and that’s a really good thing. It’s really bloody good to have them back.
CONOR MACKIE