#31 on the 2015 Bacon Top 31
High by Royal Headache
This seems like the perfect place to start. Royal Headache is a group of guys out of Sydney, Australia. They go by names that could easily make them superheroes rather than band members: “Shogun” sings, “Law” plays guitar, “Joe” mans the bass, and “Shortty” (sic) is on drums. Together, they play the best kind of hardcore / punk / garage rock this side of the new millennium.
Shogun’s vocals are more shouted than sung, more Joey Ramone than Damian Abraham (whose lead vocals for his band Fucked Up put them on the “unlistenable” side of the tracks for me). The mix of instruments is intentionally muddy, making the songs sound as if the were recorded in one take on a small, beer-sodden stage.
I didn’t listen to this album a ton, but that’s testament more to my demeanor than a slight to the music. I’d put this on when I cleaned the house, or when I needed to amp myself up for going out. If you find yourself in need a high-energy boost, listen to this and be amazed as it pulls that extra reserve of energy up to the surface. You won’t be disappointed.
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