Club Brat – ‘Four Songs’ EP (Venn Records)

Club Brat – ‘Four Songs’ EP (Venn Records)

The latest band hitting our collective ear drums on the Venn roster are Club Brat and what a punch to the ear drum they are. Joining the impressive Aerial Salad, High Viz, Split Dogs and Bob Vylan to name a few Club Brat have a pop sensibility about them but they wrap it in a velvet glove inside a boxing glove holding a sledge hammer.

’25 Cameras’ opens up this rapid four-track EP, and it’s everything you want to hear. Cool lyrics wrapped inside a hard-hitting, sharp guitar-driven song, is it indie post punk? Who knows who cares, it’s full of energy and packs a punch, that’s all you need to know, and once it’s in your ear, it’ll take something special to dislodge it.

A rich bass-heavy thump and volatile rhythmic urgency is the MO here. ‘Goodbye Pop Culture’ has the warm, rich Bass thump and those angular guitars chopping away through a twitching, crowded backdrop, excellent stuff and very accessible. Originally from Peterborough and now split between Bristol and London, the five-piece formed in 2023 and quickly earned a reputation for unpredictable live shows and a relentless DIY ethos, while still working with some of underground music’s most respected engineers. Club Brat has a statement EP, no question about it, now to follow it up with more live shows and then the album. On this evidence, they have nothing to worry about. ‘In It For The Money’ might not be what they’re about, but it’s like if Jane’s Addiction were from inner city UK and not Hollywood, California. It has the energy and drive, and most importantly, it has the tunes. The final cut is the rapid barking dog of a track, ‘Watch’ it’s heavy, fast but you can dance to it. Go pick up a copy and find out for yourself.

Fantastic EP buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley

Tour Dates – September

18 September — Leeds, Headingley Social Club

19 September — Stamford, Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge

20 September — Bristol, The Golden Lion

25 September — London, Hope & Anchor

26 September — Nottingham, JT Soar

October

2 October — Sheffield, The Washington

9 October — Birmingham, The Rainbow

10 October — Brighton, The Pipeline

Split Dogs – ‘Here To Destroy’ (Venn Records)

Split Dogs – ‘Here To Destroy’ (Venn Records)

We’re just heading into March, and already I’m reviewing my second potential album of the year. And both albums are virtually EP length, which may raise some eyebrows. The (slim) link to prog is that ‘Here To Destroy’ is the same length as ‘Supper’s Ready’ and they’re both fantastic, in very different ways.

The Dogs’ second album literally kicks off with ‘Stay Tuned’ and doesn’t let up for a moment of its 22 minutes, their intention is clear from the start. You should be familiar already with the likes of ‘Monster Truck’, which, on listening today, reminds me of the mighty Sick Livers. Now that would have been a great double headliner! ‘Lafayette’ has been on repeat chez moi since release, showing the band have range and a love of Northern Soul. What’s not to like? Similarly, ‘And What?’ and ‘Precious Stones’ are pleasingly familiar by now, the latter a ferocious tune and hypnotic video.

‘Animal’ is two minutes of focussed fury, “I’ll hunt you down and bite it off”, but what I love is that the band never lose sight of the tunes. Noise has to have great tunes to keep you hooked, and they’re all over ‘Here To Destroy’. ‘Be A Sport’ is like a rabid Giuda, while ‘Meg’ is one and a half minutes of pure adrenaline. ‘All In’, complete with cowbell, is even danceable, should you have the level of energy required. I’m there in spirit! You should have ordered this already, it’s vital, raging, inspiring and a lot of fun. Catch them on tour.

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Author: Martin Chamarette