Can't Sleep With Deep Heat

Melbourne punks Deep Heat have put out some great releases over the past couple of years, especially their 10" EP New Design - it is still one of the most played pieces of vinyl I own. And their split with White Walls is so good, I bought a second one to put into the first Sonic Masala giveaway (I think the other pieces were a Dreamtime record, a Tym Guitars T-shirt and something else I can't remember...) So to hear that they have re-joined Poison City Records to launch their second record, Still Life. They have been quite of late, with members spread across taking part in The Stevens, Infinite Void and Shaking Hell. They are revitalised and ready to tear the air asunder. Listen to that frenetic bass that opens first track of the record, 'Sleep'. They have not lost any of the hedonistic rush of finding melody within raw angularity, the round-vowelled and clipped yet drawled delivery of Gus Lord meaning that lyrics are more insinuated than finely articulated, and Katie is so tight as the drumming rhythm that it's impossible to think of a better calibrated beast. 'Sleep' pitches into the past, echoing the darkness and desperation of blue-denim punk rock, whilst also propelling into the dank twilight of Melbourne's sweaty inner suburbs, a warm yet suffocating place, where insomnia is both a blessing and a curse. If this is the kind of nugget that callused minds churn out from being starved of rest and oxygen, keep them on the hamster wheel. I fucking love this song; I fucking love this band; and I can't wait until 2016 when I can fucking love this album.

Merge Into The Underlay, Twerp(s)!

We are always excited about a new Twerps release here on Planet Masala. The news that the Melbourne band have a new EP out called Underlay is monumental – and the fact that it is so compact and realised is a reminder as to why they are much-loved here and overseas. Overlay is the first recorded output with Alex MacFarlane (The Stevens) in tow, and he slots in effortlessly. We also see Jules McFarlane taking a bit more of the vocal duties this time – not as in more in more songs, but in responsibility and strength. 'Conditional Report' and 'Raft' stand as two incredibly strong tracks. But there are other elements to be excited about too…the joviality and jaunty roll of ‘Heavy Hands’, the sleepy drawl of ‘California Clay’, the raucous shambolism of ‘Hypocrite’ – even the weird instrumental title track, which feels like the theme tune to some bizarre ABC children’s program. EPs are ripe for experimentation, but it is also great to have so many feelgood hits in the bunch – as the sunny amble of ‘Consecutive Seasons’ trundles into the sunset, shoulders a little shrugged, a beer hanging loosely at the side, it’s time to flip sides once more. Twerps are becoming a real institution, aren’t they?

The band have also announced their signing to Merge Records, which means their global exposure is about to explode even further. Underlay is available in limited edition 12” vinyl through Chapter Music – get it ASAP.

Dirt from Stevens Past

I don't know if the post-wedding blues exist, but if they do, I get 'em bad. A couple of my best mates tied the proverbial knot on the weekend and I'm pretty sure I more than exhausted my share of dopamine (and their share of champagne).

I didn't know anything was up until day two when, lying under a fan, thoroughly un-effervesed, I realised I had no desire to get up. I dragged my laptop onto the floor hoping for a distraction. Somewhat ironically, 'Hindsight' provided more than that. Further scientific study may be required to claim beyond reasonable doubt that a chord change can change the way a breeze feels, but I would be happy to add my anecdote in the affirmative.


The Stevens have a knack for capturing that fizzing anxiety, that feeling you can never quite put your finger on, let alone catch. Their sound scratches through years of quiet ceiling study, ruminating on just how limited our powers actually are. It's a reason to get up.

The debut album A History of Hygiene is out through Chapter November 1. Get it, you won't regret it.

Alone with all the Stevens

I have both an abject fondness and distinct hate for the name Steven. There’s no real middle ground here. The Steven from primary school used to invite me over to play Stunts 3D and never let me have a go; he falls, rightly, at the hate end of the spectrum. The Stevens fall on the fond side. ‘Fond’ is actually near perfect the word.

I heard 'Alone' while driving home on the freeway today. One of those high points where you can see the city unravel out of the mountains (if you take the time to look). I changed lanes during the chorus without hitting any of those little reflector things.

When I got home I ordered the seven-inch (Chapter have re-issued the CD/tape release just recently) and thought about the view from the freeway. Songs for when you’re somewhere, thinking of somewhere else - somewhere you’re rather fond of.

There's also this 'fresh' (in the prince sense) clip: