Damn Arms - Homewrecker

Thu 31st May, 2007 in Music Reviews

It’s all too easy to call - œscene!’ on a band these days. A finely swept fringe and a cut of coloured cloth and one can’t help but be sceptical. Melbourne’s Damn Arms tick all the boxes but narrowly avoid the hostilities by being, well, damn good.

- œHomewrecker’, the first single to be taken from their forthcoming debut The Live Artex, viciously attacks the dancefloor; acknowledging a debt to the likes of New Order and Gang of Four while, at the same time, simply not giving a f*ck. Yama Indra and Tim Sullivan desperately trade vocals atop a relentlessly driven rhythm topped off by Simon Parker’s malicious assault of the hi-hat.

Proceedings get even more intense on b-side - œNow That’s A Reaction’, an intriguing screamo/electro hybrid closer in sound to previous UK tour-mates Test Icicles than anything 1980s. A couple of remixes from British whiz Jitset (featuring Dev from the aforementioned Testies) and fellow Melbournites Midnight Juggernauts round off the release and hint at Damn Arms’ wider appeal.