New Noise: Wolf Cola, Bin Juice, The Cavemen, Deep Space Supergroop

MITCHELL JUDGE takes the reins for this week’s roundup of new music, introducing us to three Sydney bands and one from New Zealand.

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– Wolf Cola are a Sydney two-piece that create slacker gems in between watching television together. There’s the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia reference in their band name and lyrics about a broken air conditioner, but the band dish up more than lighthearted jests. The four songs on their self-titled EP have traces of early Step-Panther, with catchy garage hooks and simple, carefree lyrics. Add to the mix a genuinely talented and exciting vocalist in Tom Masters, and the record is elevated to a new level. Download it for free from their Bandcamp.

– With a name like Bin Juice comes the expectation of short, dumb garage-punk bursts, but the band’s debut album Furious George lays on nine lengthy deep-funk tracks that show a maturity far beyond the boys’ years. That is, except for the absurd lyrics throughout the album, particularly the tale of a hippie unknowingly eating a finger on ‘In the Badlands’. It shouldn’t be long until Aunty Meredith gives them a guernsey.

– Turning our attention to New Zealand, here we have the first 7” from Auckland four-piece The Cavemen. The A-side bursts out of the gate with an excellent up-tempo rockabilly revival tune that tells the story of a no-hope kid. Concluding with the proud chant of “I take drugs/I get drunk/I take drugs/I get drunk,” it presents the band as a Jim Jones Revue-meets-Black Lips monster. I’d wager good money they are a fantastic live band.

– Rob Crompton wrote 17 songs during his stint in Japan, and they were recorded with members of his previous band Sister Ray. After his move to Sydney, the new four-piece Deep Space Supergroop was formed and the band have become a regular live fixture. Drawing influence from a classic ’90s sound, ‘Bad Blood’ is the standout for me, along with ‘You Don’t Have to Stay’ and ‘Wonder Drug’. Download the complete set free while the band prepare to record their first proper album. They’re playing Thursday, June 5 at Marly Bar in Newtown with Cull, and Saturday, June 14 at FBi Social with Miners and Dr. Goddard.

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To nominate new music for this column, email us at news@messandnoise.com.