Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - High Visceral (Part 1) - Trailer
Info: Perth’s psych-grunge-rockers Psychedelic Porn Crumpets recently dropped their highly anticipated debut album High Visceral {Part 1}. It is a powerful, melody driven full-length album that takes you on a convoluted journey of clarity through the exploration of the modern universe and the ever-evolving ideologies of creation. High Visceral {Part 1} will sonically transport you to new dimensions.
High Visceral {Part 1} was an album I could really get swept away with, from the storming guitar-driven opening of 'Cornflake' and its escapist psych tones, to the wild insanity of second track 'Cubensis Lenses' (below) and it's hard grunge-rock rapid riffage. Psychedelic Porn Crumpets perfectly dip their toes in the various waters of the psychedelic rock history timeline, from standard borderline garage of 60's bands like The Monks and The Count Five's 'Psychotic Reaction' through to modern sounds of tracks such as '...And The Addled Abstraction of Being' and 'Marmalade March'.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - Cubensis Lenses
Other highlights include the well-timed chill zone of the album's title-track, the Dick Dale on speed 'Surf's Up' and the Pink Floyd-reaching 8 minute extravaganza that is 'Found God In a Tomato' as well as the mind-expanding voyage that is 'Entropy'. To be fair there is not a single track on the album that you'd be tempted to glide over, it's a delicious collection of contemporary psychedelic rock n' roll that tickles your inner sense of abandon plenty of times. I caught up with frontman Jack McEwan to discuss the album, what's happening music-wise in Australia and his impending trip to the solar system.
Remy: There are a few subtle clues outside of the sound of the new album itself that you have all dabbled in 60’s psych-garage and rock, one being maybe the title of the excellent second track on ‘High Visceral (Part 1)’, ‘Cubensis
Lenses’. It immediately reminded me of San Francisco band Blue Cheer’s 1968 debut, Vincebus Eruptum! Is 60’s garage and psych rock a platform you’d say your sound sprang from?Jack: Yeah It was definitely a big influence, there was such a huge shift in musical style through that 60’s period with new technologies and instruments to experiment with that it broke all pre-existing notions of composition and allowed musicians more creativity to evolve their sounds. After listening to endless styles I’m always drawn back to that crackling amp blasting out heavy riffs, there’s something about a crash cymbal ringing out over a monster jam that will never get old.
R: Like here in Ireland and indeed in the UK and US, Australia seems to be going through a music revival at present judging by the quality of music I’ve heard over the last few years from independent acts, but not only that, musicians are experimenting far more than ever, venturing wildly into other genres such as electronica and hip-hop, is that your experience also?
J: Yeah completely. There’s so much music software and hardware available now that it’s hard not to experiment. I’m always messing around with my launch pad and creating electronic gems and so are the rest of the band. If you have the resources available then use them, trial with everything and most of the time you get something completely unique pop out that you have no idea how to replicate live and then you’re faced with a whole bunch of other questions.
R: A quick question regarding the name of the band, which I’m sure will drive a lot of traffic to various websites! Tongue-in-cheek or a name that has a deeper meaning to you???
J: Haha! I’d love to say yes and reel off on one but truthfully it’s just a strange name that when first hearing it makes people question what it is, they’re led on a confused thought process which floats around a bit until eventually they’re
intrigued enough to give it a listen. To me it suits the sound though, a little bit out there, kind of quirky and in your face.
R: You decided to release a limited run of 250 copies of ‘High Visceral (Part 1)’ on gatefold vinyl with the design courtesy of lead singer Jack McEwan, was it an expensive exercise to get it pressed in such a small quantity, and is it your preferred medium of listening to some choones?
J: We were lucky enough to have Rhubarb Records, a Perth based record store sign us to a 250 copy contract. We always wanted to press vinyl but none of us have any money and couldn’t afford the initial investment. For me vinyl is the end game, it’s not an album until it’s pressed on wax (word - Remy). It’s great there’s been a resurgence in recent times. I’m not 100% fussed about what medium you listen to music through, if you can click a button and music flies to your device then that's pretty magic, give it a couple of plays then if you’re liking the album then a record is personal, arguably the best sound platform you’re likely to hear it on as well.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - Marmalade March
J: Yeah we often joke about it, we’re in this secluded city miles from anywhere else and sadly can only play max 2 shows a month else it strains your fans to come watch. I’d love to have the freedom of the UK where you can travel the
country weekly creating a buzz, slamming back pints and building a solid group of fans across the nation. In Perth a national tour is the dream which we’re so lucky to be achieving, we probably won’t make any money from it but having
the chance to do what we love, continuously gig and get plastered for a few weeks is what I signed up for.
We’ve got a good run of shows around the country which we’re all pumped for.
FRI 13 MAY @The Metro, Adelaide
SAT 14 @Bar 303, Melbourne
SUN 15 @Brunswick Hotel, Melbourne
WED 18 MAY @Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
THURS 19 MAY ‘No Refunds’ @ Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
FRI 20 MAY @Miami Shark Bar, Gold Cost QLD
SAT 21 MAY @Ric’s Bar, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
SAT 28 MAY @Mojos Bar, Fremantle, Perth
R: I bumped into a lovely chap from Australia who was visiting friends in Dublin back in January and we got into a deep converastion about music. He kindly sent me a list of 20-odd albums by Australian acts to check out a while later which I’m still working my way through, any recommendations for Irish readers of who you think we should let into our ears?
Hideous Sun Demon (premiered here last year! - Remy) have been one of my favorite bands for a few years now, I’m just lucky they live in the same city,
incredible energy, amazing riffs and some clever lyrics and time signatures keep your ears tweaking, they’ve got a new album on the way which I’m really excited for, no release date as of yet though. Koi Child are another big band
doing great things musically and pushing the limits of experimentation. Foam, Dougals Casino, Red Engine Caves, Spaceman Antics, Mugwump, The Love Junkies. There’s a hundred more I’ve forgotten but they’ll get you through the week.
R: Finally, from my own perspective, congratulations on a stellar debut which I really enjoyed a lot, is it too soon to ask where Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are headed next?
J: Alpha Centauri to gather utensils for Part 2 and get back into the studio as soon as possible.
R: Big thanks to Jack for the interview and the great music recommendations, you can get your hands on High Visceral, Part 1 at the links below.
Look / Like & Listen:
Website: http://www.psychedelicporncrumpets.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psychedelicporncrumpets
Bandcamp: http://psychedelicporncrumpets.bandcamp.com/album/high-visceral-part-1-2
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1087644953?ls=1&app=itunes
