Royal Headache
Eloise
4 Track, 7inch (2010, R.I.P. Society)
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Related: Royal Headache.
The parents of Royal Headache's guitarist Lawrence William Hall must have the most rocking boat shed in western Sydney. It was there, in a backyard in suburban Putney, that the four-piece first started jamming a little over two years ago. It’s also the place they recorded their debut 7”, out now through Sydney's R.I.P Society Records. In the meantime, a demo tape, a bucketload of internet hype and support slots for everyone from The Buzzcocks to Girl Talk, has made it one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
It doesn't disappoint. While the four tracks will be familiar to anyone who has seen the band play live over the past year, their debut - recorded by the Straight Arrows’ Owen Penglis on his trusty 8-track - possesses the same over-the-top energy and sense of fun as their live shows. It opens with the Pitchfork-endorsed'Eloise', and by the time vocalist Shogun gets to the ragged, “Nah, nah, nah, nahs”, you'd be hard pressed to find a catchier piece of scrappy garage rock.
'Girls' is one of the band's earliest songs, but it's still the best at capturing what makes their loose garage pop so special. Drummer Shorrty’s four-stick count in is the only “non manic” thing about it. From there it's just over-a-minute-and-a-half of wild punk energy that takes in elements of ’60s garage before pulverising them with fast riffs and hooks. The vocals are near indecipherable over the frantic guitar and bass, and there's a brief pause while Shogun gets his breath back, before the pulverising begins again.
The B-side dives in with 'Splash', an ode to the awesomeness of swimming pools. Indeed, Royal Headache would make for the ultimate pool party band with Lawrence's blown-out guitar exploding like a single knee chest bomb onto a pool pony. However, there's no “Marco Polo” here, just brash, urgent and ragged pop that perfectly showcases Shogun’s vocal range – he’s one of those rare breed of garage rock singers that can actually sing.
The only downer here is the omission of live favourite, ‘Honey Joy’, which would’ve rounded out this collection perfectly. It still doesn’t change the fact that this is likely to be one of the best 7” releases of the year.
by Tim Scott
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Can't wait to get my hands on this.
RIP Society are ruling my life at the moment.
Eloise, Splash, Surprises. What's the other track on it?
In any case, can't wait for it as well. Bit bummed out they're only playing 2pm at Golden Plains but it will still be super rad as always I'm sure.
Girls
Oh, Girls. Right.
Want this.
All songs are tops.
Man 'Honey Joy' is a great song. Especially live.
It's a cover isn't it? Anyone know who did it originally?
it's not a cover.
this is good, can't wait for their Golden Plains set
Honey Joy is the one song i've heard of theirs that kinda makes me cringe. The rest are ace.
i agree blake.
WHEN IS THIS OUT? WHERE?
I also agree with Blake. I reckon they should have put either Don't Want To or that Psychotic Episode song on instead of Splash, but that's just me.
Keep in mind that this was recorded in August last year and most of the songs mentioned, besides 'Don't Want To', hadn't been written yet.
Now you've got something to look forward to on the LP.
Never heard of Royal Headache (I'm old) but just listened and found it pretty bloody exciting to listen to (that sort of 'gut feeling' you get when you hear something you like for the first time) and keen to hear more. My 18 month old started fruggin' to it too.
just freakin' put it out already!
Very cool.
I concur with Burt - just had a listen for the first time on this page and it's fucking ace! Love the label design as well.
These Sydney guys can write catchy memorable pop hooks! Eloise was on the FLIP OUT 2009 CD and I must have played it 100 times! I agree that their set closer, ''Honey Joy'' is a standout track. It one of those rare songs that on first listen, it will grabs you by the throat and won't let you go.
I saw and photographed over 100 new bands last year, and their is a reason why I listed Royal Headache in my Top 10 Predictions for 2010. I will be sure be picking this up and I can't wait to see them again on stage.
My top 10 and predictions list for 2010
this band ticks all the boxes for me. the 7inch will be good to finally have
Missing Link has copies from this weekend according to wedsite
i'm guessing the headache boys are bringing them down in the car this arvo, so you MIGHT be able to get a copy at Missing Link and see Lou Barlow as well.
Royal Headache & Circle Pit @ OAF side bar on Thurs 25th March
facebook thingy
weird similarity between this guys voice and ian moss. awesome review. great song.
ROYAL HEADACHE 7'' FINALLY HERE!!!!!!
ROYAL HEADACHE 7'' FINALLY HERE!!!!!!
ROYAL HEADACHE 7'' FINALLY HERE!!!!!!
Kill two birds with one stone, pick up the new Home Blitz LP ''Out Of Phase'' (think Modern Lovers meets Electric Eels), or Distort fanzine #26 which is all about Adolescents/Christian Death guitarist Rikk Agnew.
Yeah we got them at Missing Link now.
From the site:
It's early in the year, but we could easily say now this is going to be one of the 7''s remembered from 2010! Totally worth the wait, this is a raging 4 tracks of ultra high energy catchy PUNK w/ real dirty, primal recording. While you can def. hear their sound is heavily informed by your 60's garage or 70's punk or 80's power pop, it's difficult to pick any particular reference point, and their tunes are immediately distinctive and totally addictive. A+++
yeah, great record, i'm hearing lots of stuff but for some reason i keep thinking barbaras, ultra no-fidelity combined with pop hooks of motown
Want. These guys rule.
Got. These guys rule.
keep one for me repressed!
is it just me or does surprise sound like a lo-fi Gnarls Barkley? too controversial? too soon?
Better hurry up anonymous..
Tasty.
i'll be there monday!
gots me one today!! Fucken ace
I can't get to repressed, is there a website for either band or label that I can just paypal an order? Doesn't seem to be anything at teh respective myspaces.
Email r.i.p.societyrecords@gmail.com
When I got mine home to have a listen, I noticed the labels are on the wrong sides. ie Splash and Surprise play on what is stated to be the 'A' side, and vice versa. Did this happen to all of them?
yeah, i noticed that yesterday too. on two copies.
Just to clear things up...
Yes the labels are on the wrong sides..all 500 copies are like this unfortunately.
Royal Headache 7'' Launch
w/ Dead Farmers LP launch & Dick Diver
Sunday 25th April (Monday is Anzac Day public holiday).
@ Good God Small Club
53-55 Liverpool Street- Sydney
come back to melbourne town, i got ya gumboots with me.
fuck yeah - saw these guys last thursday at OAF - best band in sydney hands down. when they playing next?
Bumped into the singer kid on Friday night. Lovely guy. We talked a nit of old school punk and he invited me to a gig. Can't wait to get my hands on this.
Hehe. Nit.
For those that missed out the repress of this record (with the labels on the right side this time) has hit our shores and will be arriving in stores late this week/early next week.