speek evil

Honey Bee b/w Ride The Iron Space Bird - The Neptune Power Federation (Speek Evil)

Combining live theatrics with high-energy and heaviness is just one facet of The Neptune Power Federation. The other is being able to twist on a stylistic dime and pivot into another direction. In case you don’t know, the Sydney band is populated by ex-members of Frenzal Rhomband Nancy Vandal,and they bring all sorts of punk, metal and psych influences to the table.

The A side is sassy, bubblegum pop with Screaming Loz Sutch delivering a killer vocal. A nice edgy guitar solo from Troy Vodor Mike Foxall is the cream on top .Brilliant.

Speek Evil: Illustrated Rock and Roll Periodical (The Art of Fox)

Reviewing what’s a visual feast served on paper pages is a challenge at the best of times but who doesn’t love a test? “Speek Evil” is neither a zine or a comic – call it a zomic if it makes you happy - because it combines the best of both, and it’s chock full of dark imagery and rock and roll attitude.

Which should come as no surprise, as it’s the product of the mind and pen of Mike Foxall, late of Nancy Vandal and more lately guitarist in The Neptune Power Federation. Foxall is one of the pre-eminent rock and roll graphic artists of the Sydney underground scene.

He’s a member of a club that boasts Ben Brown, Ray Ahn and Glenno Smith, and his imagery adorns the covers of his current band’s albums, plus posters and T-shirts for Crapulos Geegaw, King Parrot, Frenhal Rhomband The Australian Beef Week Show. He’s also an animator.

“Speek Evil” is a lavish, full-colour 80-page production printed on high-quality matt paper and is produced quarterly. It plumbs similar cultural depths as “Unbelievably Bad” used to, but with Foxall’s own punk rock pre-occupations and peers in evidence. It’s up to five editions.

2024 TOP 10 THINGS OF A ROCK & ROLL NATURE -  BY FOX

1. “ROCANROL IN MONO” LP by PLEASANTS
This LP rocketed to my fave album of the year in March and has maintained its unassailable lead til now. The band first came onto my radar with their  adrenalin charged cover of the Troggs’ “A Girl Like You” a couple of years ago and the debut long player has transitioned me from keen listener to mega fan. Pleasants play up tempo pub punk along the lines of singer/guitarist Alex Patchings’ other (also great) band Dennis Cometti  but with a bit more of a llofi/egg punk flavour. What sets it apart for me is their ear for classic pop rock hooks - it really feels like high speed garage Cheap Trick or Status Quo at times which fuses it right  to my wheelhouse. Cruelly located in Perth and seemingly touring Europe more than East Coast Oz let me put on the record I am ready and willing to receive them here when they are. This album  fucken rules - I absolutely love it.

2. “BIG BREAKFAS”T LP by HANS CONDOR
I discovered this unhinged Texan rock and roll machine a couple of years ago courtesy of the greatest music video ever made and have been ride or die with them ever since. They play vaguely Motorhead-y, AC/DC-y gear but with big swings into classic Americana and country which completes a super authentic, honest and sweaty sounding experience I cannot get enough of. Kind of feral, kind of soulful, super duper fun.

3. THE STRIKE OUTS LP by THE STRIKE OUTS
If you live in Sydney and are remotely plugged into the underground rock and roll scene you would have come across these guys at some point. Awesome straight ahead no-nonsense two-piece and a great example of the embarrassment of rock and roll riches we have in Australia these days. Absolute gentlemen. too, which is a nice touch if you don’t prefer your rock stars to be utter arseholes. Their debut long player rips - recorded with the steady hand of The Pet Food Factory at the tiller.