X-Ray Words - The Prehistorics (self-released)
Aussie-based perenial European tourists The Prehistorics return with their sixth album. three years in the making and starting just after their last release "Racket du Jour" (2001). The core of the recording band for the last few records, Brendan Sequira (songwriter, vocals, guitar), and Michael Carpenter (drums, production, and plenty more things this time around), enlisted some great guitar players to help out along the way.
It's exactly what you'd expect from a Prehistorics album: great playing and production, and just that little bit better than the previous offering.
When I hear people talk about this band, the comparisons to the Hellacopters and Radio Birdman always abound, so you know that you're in for a great twin-guitar attack, and the album doesn't disappoint.
This kicks right out of the gate with the first track, and also the first video released from the album "Invisible Hand".
And the album doesn't let up from there. There's a lot to like on this release, of course that twin-guitar attack with some great riffin'. But the songs have enough slight variation in style and playing to keep the listener entertained throughout.
There's shades of powerpop meets old style punk with some fantastic pounding drums and bass holding it all together. Brendan's vocals are fantastic, and dare I say it, almost Bon Scott-like in a couple of songs.
Things slow down a bit for the last song "Shades Of Lipstick" but it's an infectious powerpop gem of a song, and my vote would go towards releasing this as the next video from the album.
Anyway, get on over to Bandcamp and have a listen, I'm sure you'll be wanting to buy a copy on vinyl or CD after hearing it, and while you're there check out the back catalogue if you haven't.
with a shot of twin-guitar attack please Barman!!
Buy it
Graham Stapleton and Brendan.
I had a bit of a chat to Brendan Sequira recently about the release and the band.
G: Hey Brendan, firstly congratulations on the new album. I’ve had it on high rotation since it arrived.
B: Hi Graham, thanks for the opportunity to chat with you. It's always a blast!
G: The twin guitar attack all through this album is awesome. A couple of players are back from the previous album, of course the legendary Michael Carpenter in the producers chair and on the drums, but also adding some bass, keyboards, and guitar.
And Thomas Aguilar is back on lead guitar, but only for around half of the songs. You've added another three lead guitarists to this album for the rest of the songs, how did that come about?
B: Yeah, I'm a huge fan of the old twin guitar attack. You know, Radio Birdman, The MC5, The Hellacopters, Redd Kross. So I really wanted to carry on with that tradition on this album. But the challenge with sourcing great lead guitarists is getting them to go the distance long term, in this band. I guess because they are high calibre, they float from one project to the next, so it's hard to put a saddle on them.
I was really lucky to get Chris Rolling from France, to guest on three songs for this album. He actually filled in for two tours as lead guitarist in The Prehistorics, in Europe in 2023 and he just nailed it. He is also the most super-cool guy with so much integrity, talent and humility, so we've become great friends. It was just a blessing. I mean, listen to him shredding on the opening track “Invisible Hand”. It's just earth shattering, right?
I was also lucky to get long time contributor Stu Greenwood on one track, “Off Your Rocker”, and he just knocked it out of the park with his solo. So yeah, I’ve been blessed with great guest musicians on this record. Added to that, Michael Carpenter just aces it on pretty much every instrument he plays.
G: Both the record and the CD versions of the new album have great artwork again thanks to your wife Nathalie. It must be great having her working closely with the band and on the releases?
B: You know, I have been so fortunate over the past 10 years, to have Nathalie’s support what I do but also bring a whole set of skills to the table. She a graphic artist and freelance artist, photographer and video maker, so she just tends to dive in to do a lot of the artistic work for the band.
The cover started out as a concept in my head and then she helped realise that and added other dimensions to it. Even on tours, if she comes along, she always helps out with the merch or driving or translating in French, so she's pretty integral to the band.
G: You are renowned for touring Europe and completed a run there almost a year ago now with a cracking band. How was that experience?
B: That last tour we did in Europe in September 2023 was the best ever. The crowds were just amazing and as a unit, we were firing on all cylinders from the very first gig in Paris. It's funny because we only had two rehearsals with the bass player before hitting Europe and none with Chris Rolling, our lead guitarist, because he lives in France. We didn't even soundcheck together. But that's what happens when you play with pros.
Again, it's funny because a lot of musicians I've played with are expecting to spend weeks rehearsing, but we haven't done that for years, because we're often in different cities or even different countries. But it's like anything, if you've got the ability and you do your homework, you should be able to play at this professional level, without labouring too much. The trouble is, not everyone puts in the hard yards...but don't get me started on that, lol!
G: You haven't toured as much in Australia as overseas for quite a while now, but you recently did a small tour of South East QLD and Norther NSW. I was at the Gold Coast show with brilliant supports from Welshan and The Dangermen. It was an awesome show all round, but you guys were really rocking. What's your recollections of the shows and tour?
B: That mini-tour in south east Queensland was heaps of fun. I was surprised about the positive reception we received because we hadn't played for ages, but the feedback I got from the fans who had waited to see us, was really great. It was our first time playing with The Dangermen too and they were lots of fun!
Unfortunately, in Australia the market is quite small compared to Europe so we've had to slog it out mostly in Europe to build our audience. I think it's worked, after 10 years of touring, because we have carved out our own "cult following ", especially in France where we are always blown away by their dedication and kindness towards the band.
G: I'm hoping that you'll be doing a few more tours locally and around Australia after adding a couple of new members to the band recently. Marc Welsh (ex-Asylum, Have A Nice Day) on lead guitar, and Daren “Catman” Williams on bass. Any tours with the new band coming up?
B: Definitely hoping to tour Europe again in 2025, if all the stars align. I've gotta say that planning these tours is a logistical nightmare, coordinating gigs between cities so that we don't have to travel huge distances, organising accommodation, dealing with logistical problems.
The other big thing I have learnt is you really have to get the right combination of people together to make it enjoyable and harmonious. We all know the story of the "van of hate", so I try to avoid such dramas, lol. Sometimes you get on tour and someone is pulling in a different direction or just isn't comfortable working as a team, and those tours can be really draining.
The other big issue, and I get asked about this a lot because we tour with varying line-ups, the thing is, a lot of people will initially jump at the chance to go on a fully organised tour, because it's all laid out on a silver platter, mostly courtesy of me, and with help from my wife organising so many things, but for a lot of people, it's kind of a bucket list thing for them. But once they realise how hard it is on the road, with long hours and little sleep, they don't come back a second time. It's not for everyone. Maybe you have to have a bit of the mongrel in you, to keep putting yourself through all the highs and lows.
Plus, there’s a lot of tyre kickers out there who are in love with the idea but not the brutal reality of touring. But for me, I freak’n live for touring!
Nathalie Sequeira's original artwork.
G: Also, with a couple of new players, I’m wondering if you guys are itching to get into the studio for some new recordings?
B: In terms of writing new material, I've never been able to churn out songs one after another, but because the new album took three years to record, I actually built up a backlog of songs for another album. I'm the only songwriter in The Prehistorics these days, so that can put a lot of pressure on me, and I want to make sure every album is "all killer and no filler"! (Laughs)
So I'm really hoping to release a seventh album by 2026. The one problem though is the cost of doing these albums; I pretty much pay for everything in that sense, and because I don't want to compromise on quality.
I have always recorded with industry legend Michael Carpenter, to make things sound first rate. Even with mastering, I always go with an industry leader, Turtlerock, because they are just the very best.
I hear of lot of people claiming they made a record on a shoestring budget and when I hear the record - and it sounds like it. The thing is, whether you like our stuff or not, no one could ever accuse us of putting out scrappy records that are poorly produced. I guess it’s like the old adage, you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
G: Thanks for the chat Brendan. Hopefully will catch you guys playing again soon.
B: Thanks Graham, it's always good to chat to you. You always seem to get where my band is coming from, and connect with the songs. That's priceless.
The Prehistorics launch "X-Ray Words" with The Dangermen and The Remnants at Marrickville Bowling Club in Sydney on Saturday, September 28.
