THE BENNIES Announce Better Off Dread 7” release & Tour
In their short three-year existence, Melbourne band The Bennies have performed over 300 shows. Their expeditions to Asia- Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, together with a recent sold out national tour with friends The Smith Street Band, has seen their relentless touring schedule rewarded, carving a reputation as one of the country's most exciting live acts. The band now announce the release of Better Off Dread, a 4 track 7" inch vinyl released through Jackknife Records, that captures their high octane punk-rock rapture on wax.
SIDE ONE:
Mushroom Tea
On the release of their Party Party Party debut in 2011, Veri.Live Magazine wrote, "The Bennies are masters. Their thrash-disco sound creates a party around itself." Following suite webzine Chucking A Mosh contributed, “The Bennies may have written the soundtrack to the best party you've ever been to!” Fast-forward two years and The Bennies have outdone themselves with Mushroom Tea. Yet another dance floor anthem, the song seamlessly jaunts from the saxophone wail of third wave ska to a paranoid, closing Black Sabbath guitar riff. “This song is written about a pretty intense night we all shared. Once a year we cruise off to the east coast of Victoria to hang out at a lake and go fishing. In reality no one does any fishing and everyone just gets loose.” says frontman Anty Horgan. “We wanted to write a song that embodied this vibe,” and that they've done.
My Bike:
Borrowing the anti-authoritarian tone of Leftover Crack and Dennis Lyxzen’s post-Refused band AC4, for whom they've recently played support, My Bike is The Bennies at their unencumbered best. Recalling Horgan’s inauspicious encounter with his neighbourhood constabulary, the song’s frantic pop-punk style and repetitious chorus has made the song an instant live hit and a fan-favourite drinking game.
SIDE TWO:
Better Off Dread:
Beginning with a sly reference to The Specials Man at C&A, ‘Better Off Dread,’ is a 2:50 slice of ska advocacy. Name checking The Wailers, Sublime and Operation Ivy, Horgan says the motivation for the song was driven by the genres lack of local representation. “There is pretty much nowhere in Melbourne where you can go out and the DJ or the venue will be playing ska music. This song is about the idea that if you want to listen to ska, it needs to be in your head.”
Return To 9-5
Return To 9 – 5 is a hip-hop homage to Return Of Django, the title track to The Upsetters 1969 Trojan Records LP. Borrowing Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s scattered approach, together with Horgan and Selak’s lyrical tirade, the track features a guest rap verse courtesy of Ethan Del Carmen from Tasmanian band Phat Meegz and is remixed by Melbourne DJ, Marto.
Better Off Dread will be released through Jackknife Records on April 20. The vinyl 7” will include a download code with access to bonus track Sensi-Less and a Bennies stencil insert for DIY merch enthusiasts.
LAUNCH DATES:
Saturday April 20th "Hazy Blazy 420 Smoke Out Session" The B.East,
Melbourne - Free Entry
Saturday April 27th - "All Tomorrow's Shoeys" - Hobart - Brisbane Hotel
Friday May 3rd - Enigma Bar - Adelaide
Saturday May 4th - Karova Lounge - Ballarat
Saturday May 11th - The Roxbury - Sydney
Sunday May 12th - Yours & Owls - Wollongong
Tickets on the Door for All Shows Except Hobart, On sale now -
http://alltomorrowsshoeys.bigcartel.com/