This self-titled full length from PARASITE DIET is a release which harks back to the early days of punk. It’s a record full of short little ditties which are fun, retro throwback tunes. It’s pure power-pop, unashamedly inspired by the Ramones – it sounds just like a Ramones record, from the lo-fi recording to the song structure, with a little bit of the Beach Boys surf-pop chic. Old-school pop-punk fans should enjoy this, but it’ll even appeal to fans of bands like the Beatles too. It really does sound like a glorious 70’s pop record. It’s basic and it’s happy and while it’s not very inventive, they’re doing something that not many bands are doing (anymore).
All things retro and kitsch are very much in fashion at the minute, so these guys, perhaps unwittingly, might be bang on trend. I can definitely see rockabilly hipsters having a boogy at a Parasite Diet show. It’s the sort of record that would blast out of the jukebox after the Fonz has given it a nudge. If you’re into old-school cool, then this could be the soundtrack to your very own Happy Days.
MICHAEL WILSON