On the surface, it might look like Culture Abuse aren’t taking anything seriously. After all, this is a band who describe the genre of music they play as “having fun” or “kitchen punk”, and make no secret of their love of partying. Even the artwork of their debut album, ‘Peach’, makes them seem like they are a generally light-hearted band, right?
Wrong. Culture Abuse are very serious. Not because they sing about political issues or social awareness, but because they have a very different modus operandi altogether. They want you to have fun, and their message is simple; do whatever the hell you want. Culture Abuse gave up on real life to move into a practice space together, do whatever they need to make ends meet, and make the most of their lives they have before it’s too late.
The ten tracks that make up ‘Peach’ are fuelled by the gritty dark side of their Californian surroundings. Despite the deaths of friends and peers and vocalist David Kelling living with Cerebral Palsy, Culture Abuse cease to let such hurdles bring them down. They channel this frustration into their music. Whether it is the frantic opener, ‘Chinatown’, or the infectious single, ‘Peace On Earth’, they sound like they are having the best time forgetting real life.
Given that Culture Abuse come from hardcore stock and the elements of grunge that flecked their ‘The Day Dreams Of Nothing’ EP and last years ‘Spray Paint The Dog’ 7”, their debut album has moments of brittle intensity. However, the fast paced guitar riffs and wailing drum fills are shrouded in bright, sun-kissed melody. The nagging hook of ‘Dream On’ gets under your skin, the noise-meets-pop cacophony of ‘Turn it Off’ is delectable, and by the time you reach the album’s closing track, ‘Heavy Love’, it leaves you ready to take on the world; Just like Culture Abuse.
The most endearing thing about ‘Peach’ is how it is near impossible to pin down. Filled with everything from punk rock attitude, to rock ‘n’ roll swagger, there are no limits to how intoxicating this record gets. It’s a feel good record born out of feeling bad, and throwing the middle finger to a mundane life. Culture Abuse is a gang, and we want to join.
GLEN BUSHELL