By Sebastian Langdon
There is something about The Beefs song Red Bellied Black Snake that brings out the Aussie larrikin in me. It’s just so punchy.
I have been following the Bondi-based band for a while and the sound they blast is my kind of jam.
Produced by none other than Aria Award winner Matt Corby, the track kicks off with vocals giving a gritty count off followed by synchronized bass and lead guitar laying down a spaghetti western-esque melody.
The post-punk drums keep the rhythm catchy and consistent, the claps also add an element of a live setting.
The vocals start with an airy sweet tone that accompanies the pub rock instrumental very well.
When “Red Bellied!” is shouted out and the heavy distorted guitar throws itself into the mix it feels as though the instruments are having their own mosh pit while keeping the punchy precision they do so well.
The lyrics capture a timid melancholic attitude with an Australian twang, even referencing primary school antics like “handball it to you”.
In the chorus, the lyrics touch on the hesitancy about letting people in when knowing the venomous and vulgar thoughts that consume our day-to-day life.
My favourite part of the track is the intense breakdown. The guitar rips a powerful three-chord progression with the drums crashing on every strum and that same sweet airy tone from the first verse.
The drums slam to an immediate stop to catch the listeners off guard, leaving perfectly timed space for the singer to lead you back into that catchy chorus.
Towards the end of the song we hear the drums carrying the way home with choppy hits to emphasis the last chorus before coming to abrupt end.
This song draws influences from the 80s post-punk scene while also capturing that Aussie pub rock feel.
Overall, this song tickles my brain in just the right way both lyrically and instrumentally and I don’t see taking it off the playlist any time soon.
Featured image: The Beefs’ ode to Pseudechis Porphyriacus has serious bite. Photo: Scott Eipper/CC/flickr
