If I am being completely honest, this is something I wouldn’t usually buy – but as usual Household Name Records have not failed in their quest to put out fantastic records and this is up there with the best of their releases. The Peacocks offer a rockabilly style of punk-rock that is as much yee-haw as it is melodic. They’re also from Switzerland, not usually known as a Mecca of all things punk, but I guess it goes to prove that if you look hard enough, you’ll usually find the good stuff. Anyway, the band formed in 1990 and has toured the world, putting out records on Asian Man as well as this new one on HHN. That’s if you didn’t already know that of course.
The band is described as “Rev. Horton Heat meets Rocket From The Crypt, meets the Living End†on the HHN site and I guess the first thing I noticed about the record was the upright-bass, which adds a groove-filled bassline throughout. It also makes for a pretty apt description as The Peacocks remain fast and raucous yet never lose any of the melodies. Hasu Langhart has a pretty strong vocal and his guitar is also used expertly to weave in and out of the bass. I can’t not mention the drums too, with Jürg Luder a solid sticksman. Oh, and this record is fast and loud too, which is always a bonus. Tracks like the opening ‘Too Good’ and ‘Warning’ come off well, but on the whole this is a solid record. There are a couple of weaker tracks, but 13 is a good number for a record and it leaves you feeling satisfied at the end that you have your moneys worth. Mass Giorgini’s production is also spot on, adding a slickness to proceedings that is of benefit to the music.
This is a pretty fun record that opened my eyes to a whole new genre of music, something that, The Living End apart, I’d not previously explored. I’m certain I wouldn’t have bought this had I not had it to review, but after hearing it I now certainly would advise people to check this record out. It’s fast, furious and fun – what more do you need?
www.thepeacocks.ch
Household name Records
Paul