Hoax – Hoax (Driving South)
Hindsight is a fine thing and it’s clear that the combined impact of grunge, corporate clumsiness and the commodification of music through disgitisation did many bands a disservice in the 1990s. Hoax was probably one of them.
Hoax was a staple of the live circuit in Newcastle, Australia, in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, opening for a slew of touring bands while building a local fanbase. Hoax took their lead from punk rock (whatever that is) and suffered constant line-up changes. They came and went, with the core of Geoff Mullard (vocals and guitar) and Anthony Dean (drums and vocals) going on to many other bands.
Their story of is that of so many so many mid-level bands of the time, and it would have gone largely untold except for former manager and still avid gig-goer, Tony McNamara. He exhumed these four previously unheard tracks, recorded with Mullard, Dean and out-there bass player, the late Phil McNally, by John Hsrec in Sydney 30-plus years ago. The tracks have been pressed on vinyl for the world to hear.
Judging by the EP, Hoax would have been as good as many local punk bands and better than most. There’s undeniable energy in the tracks, if also a sense that the band was grappling with its own self-identity via its diverse influences. It’s easy to hear bits of Massappeal, Hard-Ons and TSOL in the songs. Hoax would have fitted well on the Waterfront label.
“Away by 3” soars on the back of some skittish guitar before a surging rhythm kicks in. It’s very Husker Du and also of its time, although in this genre-blurred era it could still hold its own on most community radio programs with open ears. “Suit & Tie” rages (more than likely against the corporate machine) and features some frantic Mullard shredding.
Lead track “Looking Up” starts off steadily before building momentum, spiralling through time changes into a crescendo. “Making A Living” is a fistful of tightly coiled guitar wrapped in high-tension bass and drums interplay, showing off the band’s dynamics and fondness for dissonance.
Hsrec’s mix is strong and transparent and Bruce Callaway’s mastering allows each instrument to have its own space. It sounds terrific.
Tony McNamara’s liner notes tell the story and the insert’s posts and clippings will shake a few memory banks. It’s a release for the fans but probably also as good a snapshot of a time and place as you’ll find. Available from Hiss & Crackle Records, Wallsend, or Rudderless Records, Newcastle, or direct from the source via Facebook.
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