Not sure what’s going on in Brighton and the wider Sussex Area. Their football team has gone from being a team I hated (all we had to do was score a penalty in 2017 and we’d have stayed up; Charlie Adam, you useless tit, but I digress) to one of the finest to watch in the land, and they’ve got some ace rock n roll bands.
To Amongst Liars and Royal Blood (note the order) you can add The Rattlebacks.
“Rattleback” ushers itself in on a thick groove. Think Slash, Alter Bridge and others. In fact, think pretty much any arena rock band from Guns N Roses onwards, because that’s what these boys dream of. They might be playing The Malt Shovel in Horsham (this is not a joke, it’s listed on their press release) but they have the bright lights in their sights (rhyme unintentional, but I liked it so I’m leaving it in). “As a God, you know I’m overrated” offers Josh Clarke on “Amon” and the boy swaggers.
Interestingly, he was the last addition to the band that Coxy (Rhythm Guitar) and Max (Lead Guitar) formed in 2021 because he has a wonderful voice and you imagine that it was something of a eureka moment for the pair (who are also joined by Jack “The Hell” Hollamby (Bass), and drummer, Seth Markes).
What is impressive about them is the maturity that’s on offer from the five-piece. Like always when there’s a rhythm guitarist, this has some proper balls and cockiness. There’s a blues tinge about it, perhaps but “Burn It Down” has just a little bit of Skid Row about it too.
A four-track hard rock EP of this quality would have me getting nostalgic for about 1994 anyway (by dint of the fact that I spent every lunchtime from about then to 1999 buying the damn things) but when you factor in how much that “Favourite Son” sounds like the stuff I was purchasing back then) it’s got a little more volition than usual.
And the last one “Favourite Son” is the best of the lot. “My time will come” goes the hook before Clarke sings in his best Myles Kennedy: “I’m taking you fuckers with me”.
I’m not betting against it on the strength of these four songs. “Kink” is as sensational as the beards and haircuts on the promo picture that came with this – and I can pay it no higher compliment, trust me.
Rating 9/10
REVIEW: THE RATTLEBACKS – KINK (2023)
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