Imagine The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster nuzzling up to The Jam while suppressing the urge to break out some pyschobilly funk. In essence, this is the impression THE SPITFIRES portray on ‘Dead? Good!’, a five track EP that’s littered with impressive moments but doesn’t necessarily add up to the sum of its parts.
The Perth-based band (a trio made up of two parts Aussie, one part emigrated Liverpudlian) takes what is essentially an indie-rock sound and add a healthy dose of punk mentality and personality to it. It’s arrogant sounding and aggressive in places, while still managing to hook the listener with some seriously decent choruses. Key basslines add an impacting funk element, particularly on opener, ‘Shallow Grave’ and ambitious closer, ‘Ravensthorpe’, a track that actually brings to mind Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Vocalist Sean Regan weighs in with a ‘traditionally’ British sound and some neat lyrics (‘Jumped’ is an almost sardonic poke at getting in a fight on a late night trip home), another aspect of the band that impresses. However, there’s a sense that as an overall piece, ‘Dead? Good!’ doesn’t do enough to completely take on the listener’s consciousness. Yes, it’s hooked, Yes, it has superb moments, but it doesn’t really linger for too long afterwards. What is essentially a short record (most of the tracks time in at under three minutes) remains that afterwards. There’s no extension through impact.
Still, The Spitfires sound good and have enough on offer to be a worthwhile listen. There’s also a hint of suspicion that in a live setting, with a little more ‘dirtiness’, the band could step out of the shadow of ‘Dead? Good!’ and excite more.
ALEX HAMBLETON