Australian pub-punkers Mini Skirt are so much more than this description. They have released their second album All That We Know (self-released in Australia and via London-based label and gig promoters Bad Vibrations in the rest of the world) and it is loaded with observational grit and guts wrapped in a raw no frills punk rock soundscape. Noisy and abrasive at times but with a sonic variety throughout to enthrall the listener.
The first notes of opener ‘Pottsville River’ demands attention. The drum roll is a call to arms before everything else jumps in. A punk love song of sorts, perhaps to Pottsville a town in New South Wales, the tongue in cheek self-deprecating humour sets the tone: “You are the one for me. You’re there when I’m ugly.” The track rattles along with wild guitar riffs which accompany the shouty vocals of Jacob Boylan.
‘Roundabouts’ follows. Slightly easing back on the pace, it’s the title track with the opening lyrics: “All that we know comes and goes”. There is no doubting the laid back effortless charm and a bewitching guitar riff which worms its way into the ears of the listener. ‘Smart Enough’ shifts the pace, adding a raw element to the punk melody and the key changes are an absolute delight. ‘Chew The Cud’ is a highlight, its raucous vibe increasing the energy. The deadpan vocal delivery is clear with every lyric being heard. The wordplay is whip smart and points an accusatory finger at the power brokers who abuse their position:
“Keep the bathwater, throw out the bath.”
“Who’ll stop the lies, take them on in the ring”
The cathartic nature of creativity is evident on ‘Been A While’, a 2 minute stream of conscience tirade, the spoken words tumbling out. The socially inspired observations express a helplessness to improve the lives of others: “elastic band’s fully stretched. I worry about their health, I worry about myself.” “I wanted to pick them all up in my arms and hold them, all of them.” Honest and personal there is no doubt this comes from a place of truth within. ‘White Range Club’ is tense, the guitars and drums accompanied by the off key vocal which is grating and uncomfortable. There is a sense of foreboding achieved on ‘White Range Club’. The instrumentation and vocal don’t fit together creating the ominous mood. The reference to an echo chamber emphasises those who simply look to reinforce their own views. Rather than educating oneself by engaging with others, they amplify their own stance, thus being narrow-minded and becoming further entrenched.
The stop-start beginning to ‘Mud’ is another shift sonically. “My name is Mud, me”; it is self-deprecating and gets heavier and heavier as the track travels. The guitar feedback adds an edge, further increasing a sense of frustration. This continues on ‘Squeeze Down’ with its gritty vocals and jagged guitars. Its theme is one of the oppression felt surviving the modern world. The pressures of attempting to live up to society’s expectations can be overwhelming, and this spills over in ‘Squeeze Down’, the tracks title saying everything.
‘Stay Soft’ is more contemplative with a lighter touch. Playfully trying to stay out of trouble in the pub, the garage punk canters along. The recognition here is the pub culture and its aggressive nature, which achieves what exactly? “Stay soft, no trouble. Hey cops, gonna burst my bubble?”
What is it about folk hero Ned Kelly that continues to inspire Australian culture? On ‘Ned Kelly Letter Box’ this is turned on it’s head, poking fun at a Ned Kelly letter box in the suburbs, the track dripping with irony, the garage punk the perfect vehicle to highlight the absurdity:
“A Ned Kelly letter box in a quiet street in Lennox.
New driveway.
Two bathroom, three bed,
New highway.”
‘Series 3’ is a complete surprise as a closing track. The frenetic punk is turned right down and rounds out the album with a spoken word piece. The longest track on the album gently fades out thus Mini Skirt leave us with a calmness which suggests hope within the chaos.
For more information on Mini Skirt please check their facebook and instagram.
Review: 8 out of 10