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RATTY RHYTHM
Here we are again, a not so new Aussie band about to immerse themselves
in London's turbulent musical waters. Those lucky enough to live
within sight of Sydney's Harbour Bridge may have stumbled across
them in one guise or another.The LABRATS' elements have swaggered
around the circuit for around eight years, gracing the stage with
the Screaming Tribesmen, Johnny Kannis and X & the Trilobites.
It all gave them exposure and perhaps a taste of what was to come.Their
interested in longevity, in outstaying their peers and eventually
emerging triumphant.Their determination has left them battered
and abused but still confident. John Botica, Brendon Venner and
Mark O'Connor look like hard nuts and make a hard sound. They
may trample you with out a second thought with what appears to
be instinctive unity. The triumverant have several pub dates coming
up during which you'll no doubt hear the fruits of their labour.Uncle
Norman Steptoe is nothing as grand as a distillation of punk.
It's an exercise in scuzzy restlessness. There's a greasy beat,
a lyric about city grime and how it seems to collect on certain
individuals. Things are cranked up, mainstream sitting on the
edge of a vacuum. It's brash, unforgiving; Although the Labrats
have been around for a while there's little concession to subtly
and arty contrivance. It's all delivered on a plate. All things
nice percolates, a slave to it's own momentum, a twitchy beast
with a potential chant. It's pub fodder, graced by a slight Oi
feel and finicky percussion. The Misfit is something else again.
Abused humbuckers and another classic opening: "I ...am the misfit."It's
a jaundiced view of outsiders, ponderous with cascading metallic
fretwork, guitarist Botica writhing around within the "infamy
of his own making" The Labrats are angst-ridden triers. They own
up to a diverse range of influences from Zappa to Blackflag, to
Radio Birdman and Motorhead and harness them for a studied sonic
attack. What you emerge with is something at once Australian and
fairly infectious.You may not emerge with your psyche irreparably
altered but they'll certainly create a mannered disturbance. There
are plans to release their debut album in the UK later this year
while heightening their profile with a solid series of gigs. If
you want an aural assault tempered by raw enthusiasm and decent
songs, capture these sonic youths at the Kings Head (Fulham) June
21, Greyhound June 28, Powerhaus July 3, Half Moon July 11. We
can't promise you instant conversion to the Labrats faith but
they may impart just enough to have you clamouring for more!
Paul Jolands - LAW Magazine London
- May 1989
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