Deep Heat – Rockafella (Tuff Cuff Records)
We’ve all heard about the “difficult” second album, but this takes some beating.
A quarter century spans the debut and the follow-up for Wollongong’s Rockafella. To be fair, a band breaking up will do that. evrery time..
The good news is that the lay-off hasn’t done them any harm, and if you're a vinyl junkie, you'll be stoked that their return to the record racks is in the form of a meaty, thick 180gm slab that's been cut to make a big noise.
Rockafella emerged from the ‘Gong in 2001 when the hype about the “new garage sound” was in full flight. Jet, The Datsuns, Airbourne and The D4 stepped out of Australasia and onto the global industry conveyor belt, joining The Hives, The White Stripes, The BellRays and dozens of others with a sharp look, a fuzz pedal and a pulse.
The New Wave of Garage Rock didn’t last half as long as Grunge and nobody made a documentary about it. A shame on both counts because it was a helluva lot more interesting.
History will further record that Rockafella made only a slight mark with their Rob Younger-produced album “Sinner” in 2005, but by then it was all too little too late. YouTube had already displaced pubs in the consciousness of a new generation, most of whom probably thought sticky carpet was the name of a rapper.
Sir Rob’s in the producer’s chair again for “Deep Heat” (you can’t miss that hype sticker on the cover!) and the reconstituted Rockafella is up to the job even, if they’re not delivering any surprises.
Teamwork always makes the dream work, so props also to engineer/mixer Max Dangerfield and ubiquitous master masterer Mikey Young. The record sounds excellent when played as it should be i.e. loud.
The short story is that “Deep Heat” (the title surely being an ironic reference to treating the symptoms of ageing) is prime, high-energy ramalama rock and roll and more than likely just what the old cants ordered.
With Reverend Mick Simpson vocalising, Jake and Loz providing the guitar wattage, Matty David back behind the kit and Andy Simpson residing on that root bass note, it’s the “same band, similar sound” that you’d expect. Rockafella grew up on all the staples (Radio Birdman, Saints, Rose Tattoo, AC/DC) that you might expect and they clone none of them in particular.
You’ve heard his other band Grindhouse? The Reverend wails like only he can on “Early Release” before yielding centre stage to some colourful guitar exchanges. This and “Addiction” might be his peak moments on the album, although a couple of others come close.
You’d have to be deaf to miss the Stooges references in “In The Pit” while “Checked Out” has a Dinosaur Jr sprawl to it. “Checked Out” also backs off on the accelerator and gives the soulful side of Simpson’s vocal room to breathe. Speaking of, that vocal is right up front for “Devil’s Hand” (which brings Jet’s Big Hit to mind.)
You were hoping for disertations about the meaning of life and the state of human-kind? Look elsewhere. The call and response guitars shake sex worker ode “Loretta” to life. The old guitar firm goes OK here, and elsewhere. Sonically speaking, the dry sound of “Something New” sounds like something straight out of Trafalgar Studios in the ‘80s – and that is very much a good thing.
What was that about expecting no surprises? That glib generalisation surely overlooks “Cantina”, a Tex Mex tale of lust and death that shuts down “Deep Heat” in fine style over six minutes.
Given their singer's other role as frontman for the wank-obsessed Grindhouse, here's a suggested marketing tagline: "Rub it in instead of rubbing one out". Thanks. I'll get my hat and coat.
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