Blazin' Entrails EP

Fri 3rd Dec, 2010 in Music Reviews

Perth’s iconic Hyde Park Hotel might be in ruins, but many of the bands that cut their teeth there are still producing its dive-bar sounds and keeping Perth’s smut-rock alive.

Blazin’ Entrails are no exception. On their self-titled debut EP they’ve taken the dark rockabilly they used to fill The Hydey with and committed it to seven tracks of gloom.

Front-man Caleb Merrey has had a hellish time with inner demons in recent years and these songs are both the result and antidote to his turmoil.

The comforting sounds of a major scale are nowhere to be found as Merrey chops at minor riffs and whammy warping chords. It’s music that’s just as suited to dingy outback pubs as it is to late night metro rock venues. And no country hick would feel the need to call out for some “fuckin’ Chisel” if the Entrails were in town.

The nasty Australianisms are never far away, and opener Aint Nothin for you Here has the persona of some psycho that Steve Liebmann might talk about on Crime Investigation Australia.

But it’s also definite burlesque music. Blood-red lipstick, fishnet stockings, black leather and nipple tassels all come to mind throughout its 24 minutes.

No such thoughts are as prevalent than when the sultry Tobi Lea Gogo (Aaagh Bats!!!) takes on lead vocals for Lick My Boots. It’s a song that sounds like three minutes and thirty six seconds of angry break-up sex with Dita Von Teese. But you probably wouldn’t last that long with Dita.

Pink Mist paddles into shark-infested vintage surf-rock territory and a “Hey Britney you’re upset” (in the same vein as “Hey Mickey you’re so fine”) interlude that’s hit and miss. On some listens it feels good, others just annoying- much like the Toni Basil original really.

Blazin’ Entrails reach full force when they close out the EP with Accursed. It’s not so much rockabilly as it is hard rock and it rolls and chugs with a meaty rhythm.

It’s a solid debut EP and an example of Oz rockabilly that’s not to be bloodily sneezed at.