Having lived in Preston for three years, I was actually aware of Duckhunt when they first formed back in 2000. I’m pretty sure I saw them the following year, my last in Lancashire, but as I remember they didn’t make much of an impact. The band have gone through numerous line-up changes since then, before settling one the six lads that make up the band now. If you believe the hype (and I do…) then you may have heard that several labels are chasing the band – and this demo CD shows it’s not too hard to see why.
Duckhunt will soon be spoken of in the same way people talk about Adequate 7, Sonic Boom Six, NoComply and Howards Alias. While primarily delving into ska, Duckhunt throw in several other styles to come back with something reasonably unique. There are keys, screaming and distorted guitar riffs scattered amongst a bit of brass, creating a sound that, while not wholly original, offers something a bit different.
The opening ‘Fire In A Glass’ emphasises a solid production, with ska riffs and cracking vocals aplenty. Having two, or even three, vocalists gives a really thick effect, so when the screams and background shouts do come, it never sounds out of place. I guess you called call it ‘skacore’, but without being particularly heavy. ‘Your Free To Think What We Tell You’ is another gem, harder still at the outset, but underneath everything there are sweeping melodies and huge vocal hooks. The reggae-tinged ‘Das Regg’ reminds me of Rx Bandits when they’re at their most relaxed, with Matt’s vocals and trumpet really adding something special to the mix. Big thumbs up for the drumming too, which is really inventive throughout. That leaves ‘Q-Club Tragedy’ to seal the EP, throwing in some keyboards at the beginning, but things come full circle, ending with anothe huge chorus.
This is the best unsigned release I have heard in 2004, and shows why so many labels (including PT Recordings if we had the cash) would be interested in them. With so many UK bands leading this nu-ska (groan) charge, it would be easy to accuse bands of cashing in – but not Duckhunt. They take their own twist on proceedings and make their sound their own. Watch out for the name Duckhunt. You may not have heard of them yet, but by the end of the summer they’ll be on all those ‘next big thing’ lists…
Paul