The Unknowns - Thinking about You

 

1. Who are The Unknowns? 

The Unknowns are a punk rock band from Brisbane, Australia. More rock'n'roll than garage they formed in 2014 and Thinking About You (February, 2023) slides off their second album The East Coast Low (March, 2023) like a chick wearing no knickers off a vinyl diner seat on a summers day.

2. What is Thinking About You about? 

Thinking About You has throbbing guitars, a throbbing singer, and just enough of a punk edge to stop this love song from being sickly sweet. It's like candy floss at the fair, packing a quick sugar rush, satisfying in the moment, and that's good enough. 

3. Which bands do The Unknowns sound like? 

Two members of the band are in The Chats. So there is that. Josh Hardy is a fat bastard and mugs it up a lot like Steve Jones too. But seriously people are feeling The Ramones, Cosmic Psychos and The Meanies. 

4. Which bands have influenced The Unknowns? 

The Saints, The Exploding Hearts, The Undertones, and The Lurkers. 

5. What have people said about Thinking About You? 

"Driving beats, steadfast melodics and sizzling guitar solos" - Hysteria Magazine. 

"No nonsense straight ahead garage punk that rips through the speakers" - Gimme Paperface. 

"Big hooks, massive energy, and an overwhelming sense of fun" - Faster and Louder.

"You always look so good to me,

If you were a film you'd be a fantasy"

Dressy Bessy - Lady Liberty

 

1.    Who are they?

Dressy Bessy are an indie power pop band from Denver, Colorado, whipping it up since 2007. Lady Liberty (Oct'16) rattled off their seventh album Kingsized (Feb'16).

2. What’s rocking?

Lady Liberty is a bubbly, 60's style pop rock call to arms with some raunchy guitar riffery in the background assisting. Finger snapping, bopping fun with a word about the state of the rebellion. Or more to the point the lack thereof.

3. Who do Dressy Bessy sound like?

Spin compared Dressy Bessy to Tacocat and Bleached. WSUM were feeling Apples In Stereo and Cheap Trick on Lady Liberty. The sunshine bounce of Rabbit! should be included.

4. What have the press said about Lady Liberty?

“A bouncy new one” – Stereogum.

“A catchy hook, guest 12 string guitar from R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and sharp vocal harmonies” – Knox News.

“Impossibly bright and catchy” – Popshifter.

 

 

5. Which bands put the gut in Dressy Bessy’s pop punch?

Dressy Bessy are influenced by The Kinks, The Beatles, The Monkees, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Sly & The Family Stone and The Jackson 5.

6. Why should I give Lady Liberty a twirl?

Political pop punk never sounded so upbeat or so good.


7. Do Dressy Bessy have any more masterpieces?

If You Should Try To Kiss Her has more bouncy goodness.


8. More words?

Guests on Kingsized include Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Rebecca Cole (Black Flag) and Jason Garner (The Polyphonic Spree).

“There is nothing but hypocrisy and carrying on”

Alistair Riddel and members of Split Enz and the drummer of The Angels were in glam rock band Space Waltz who had a huge number one hit in NZ with Out On The Street (1974) from their debut album Space Waltz (1975). Space Waltz didn't last long but they left one of New Zealand's most iconic songs as their legacy. All Music says Out On The Street is “a fairly authentic Ziggy Stardust outtake.”

“Watch out young love... it’s a useless game”