Liver than an exposed power line and crackling like a a pocket full of cheap Chinese fireworks after someone threw in a lit match, "Main Street Brats" is the self-released debut album for the Brisbane 'burbs band that goes by the same name - and it's a revelation.
Mains Street Brats are two guitarist/vocalists and drums. No bass. (As the CD jacket says: 'To all the people who ever told us we needed a bass, fuck you.") Reuben Ham and Hannah Tilbrook take the mic alternately or duet like a punk rock Johnny and June Cash. Andrew Thompson thumps the crud out of his kit, laying down manic backbeats for the best part. The sound is sleazy back-street rock, raw like an open knife wound. Need you know more?
Well, yes, you do because too few bands make records (CDs) like this any more. The band's own brief one-sheet attributes their coming together in 2009 to "a mutual love of shitty sparkling wine and bands like Cheap Trick, Paul Collins' Beat, and The Exploding Hearts" but they're way more punk than any of those. On the strength of this album, supports to the Hard-Ons, The Meanies, HITS and Six Ft Hick have been entirely appropriate.
Don't expect audio fidelity. "Main Street Brats" was more than likely recorded in a lounge room. That's not always a bad thing. It's been mixed with sharp edges intact and has mastered up nicely. I've never seen these Brats live but I'll bet the album is a good approximation, sans sticky carpet and sweat.
Most importantly, the songs deliver. From the Dead Boys attack of "(I Live For) Bars And Girls", the Real-Kids-on-meth kick of opener "375", the amped up pop-punk of "Corruptor" or homage to a girl "Gimme Some Strutter", it's a sleazy race to get to the bottom. The odd misplaced lead break just adds to the charm.
On pause-for-breath "Drinkin' In The Laneway", Hannah Tilbrook delivers an ace vocal, sounding like Joan Jett's love child. Yes, I know. If she had one. On "She's a Whore", Main Street Brats conjour up a little Johnny Thunders political correctness. That suggests a line about there being a little bit of Main Street Brat in every girl but I ain't going there. Nu-uh.
There are 13 songs on this unpolished gem and you can score a physical copy for just $10 - plus a download. Scrol down . Cheap, eh? Such are the mechanics of a music industry where labels should be beating a path to Main Streets Brats' door. Or meeting them at the local pub. Take the plunge. You of all people surely have nothing to lose and you'll be striking a blow for The Right Stuff aka Real Rock and Roll. Yours sincerely.
2/3
