The tough kids at my technical high school used to make nunchukkas when the teachers weren’t paying close attention. Some of those tough kids fancied themselves as exuding the sexual charisma of Superfly – albeit in a white boy suburban sort of a way. And somehow I reckon many of them would need practical experience before they truly comprehended the obvious message that gives Sydney band Nunchukka Superfly the title of its new album – If Ya Not Careful With Electricity It Will Kill Ya!

Nunchukka Superfly is two-thirds Hard Ons, and one third Mink Jaguar. While it’s not hard to hear the Hard Ons in Nunchukka Superfly – 'Post Cards' being a suitable candidate – Nunchukka Superfly is the offbeat cousin to the Hard Ons’ suburban lay about. It starts with discipline – The opening track, 'Speak Ill of the Dead Get Together', is eight minutes of relentless and hypnotic bass and drums, iced late in the piece by Blackie’s typically bizarre ranting. 'If The Sky Belongs to Us' is the straight rock track played out against a haunting psychedelic backdrop, 'Tonight We Are Protected by Wolves' is as comforting as being led through a darkened valley by a stranger who seems to exhibit disturbing sociopathic tendencies.

And then there’s Ray Ahn’s best attempt at an Edgar Allen Poe narrative – or is John Cale in the Velvet Underground’s 'The Gift' – in 'The Suicide Notes of Tom Scholz', which eventually gives way to a collage of grinding noise and flourishing drums. When the band wanders off the straight and narrow, it’s teetering on the edge of sonic insanity – witness 'Why Are You Afraid of Us' or 'Door', and when it’s in social commentary mode ('Napalm Death T-Shirts') it’s piss funny. Eclectic, strange and worth some serious spinning on whatever music playing device takes your fancy.

by Patrick Emery