dawn of the braindead

Dawn of the Braindead – The Owen Guns (Outtaspace Records)

Excuse the sneaky little  Zappa-ism but does humour belong in punk music? You betcha. Australian punks The Owen Gunsare prima facie evidence.

They may know them from their previous EP or from their song about Donnie Trump beinbg repeatedly pulled from YouTube. If not, here's a nice way to make their acquintance.

Hailing from Sydney and its sometimes awkward cousin city Wollongong and with roots in a bevy of old school punk bands, the four-piece Owen Guns deliver a dozen powerful and puerile tunes on their debut album on Outtspace. 

If burning down churches, stomping on racist skinheads and putting the Doc Marten into Bono ain’t your things, better break out your Leonard Cohenbox set, adjust your chakras and do whatever it is that’s done with patchouli.

Ten Things, Bands and Albums that have caught my eye in 2022, in no particular order.

The Square Tugs – “Monster Hits “
This LP is a cracker. The Brisbane-based trio started out as a Circle Jerks cover band (hence the name), but this isn't a one-dimensional release: 16 tracks that channel everything old school (the Ramones, The Damnedetc) into a great album that gets better the more you listen. Its an old school sound without sounding jaded; it still manages to sound fresh with great production and a mix of songs which are funny and also political.   Most of the songs clock in at under two minutes - the only disappointment is that they're over. Check it out.

The Dark Clouds – “My Way Or The Highway”
It's taken forever for these slack bastards to get an album out, and as a consequence many of these songs will sound familar to those of you who have seen ‘em live.  It's been worth the wait though as this is a belting rock ‘n’ roll record. Led by a larger-than-life frontman, a wicked lead guitarist and a tight as a fishe’s bottom rhythm section – they’re just as good on record as they are live which is no mean feat. They are one of the most under rated live rock bands in the country. Uf there was any justice they would be filling big venues. If you are fans of rocking proto punk, or balls-to-the-wall Aussie pub rock you'll find something worth your while here. Buy the record, catch them live (they're old - every show could be their last.)

Hi I'm Squatter the Cockatiel. I share a house with Chris Converse (4ZZZ and Punkfest) and Cathy Kerlin (Punkfest and Platform 5 Cafe and Bar) so I get to meet the really cool GC's* and hear some great music.

I am also a 4ZZZ subscriber.

Here is my top ten releases of 2022, in no particular order:

The Owen Guns- Dawn of the Braindead

Mitch, Please - Yes Thanks

The Square Tugs - "Monster Hits"

Eviction - "Demo"

The Interrupters - "In the Wild"

The Disables - "No more Rules, No more Ruled"

Mucho Sonar - "Under the Influence"

The Cutaways - "Cheap Curtains"

Topnovil - "Stand Tall"

Masochist - "Bloom"

Hope you enjoy my selection and like the picture. I am way more popular than Cathy or Converse.

Love and chirps,

Squatter

*Cockatiel for Good C_nts