Swallow the Rat - Single Review: Bird Of Ill
Perennial live favourites, Auckland based Swallow The Rat have released their latest single Bird Of Ill. A grungy psychedelic track, heavy with Surf Punk guitar riffs and repetitive yet dark lyrics telling a tale of self-loathing, addiction and relationships.
Formed in 2017, Swallow The Rat have been hard out recording and touring both in New Zealand and abroad performing multiple shows in Austin Texas where some band members hail from. 2020 also sees them heading back stateside to perform at New Colossus Festival in NYC, and South By Southwest Festival as part of a US tour, spreading their distinctive blend of NZ Post-Punk and Texan Psychedelia.
Bird Of Ill, is the first single to be released off the bands forthcoming album Leaving Room. It has been described as a “deliciously jangly-yet-ominous” track which is accompanied by an obscurant retro video.
Failing to grab my attention the first time, Bird Of Ill grew on me after several rounds of blaring into my brain. This was one of those songs that the more I heard it, the more I liked it.
At a run time of 4.05 minutes you get a decent length single of interestingly layered instrumentals and vocals. Slick guitar with the added depth of bass builds into a crescendo of sound towards the end. Accompanied by tight drumming from Hayden Fritchley and peppered with just enough keyboard.
Swallow The Rat offers an interesting take on Post-Punk. By the time this article goes live, I would have stalked them at Not Woodcock and bought the T-shirt. I look forward to hearing more.
Swallow The Rat are. Sam Vercoe (guitar, vocals), Brian Purington (guitar), Hayden Fritchley (drums), Stephen Horsley (bass, keyboard).
About Swallow the Rat
In 2019 a self-titled 7" was released which coincided with several showcase performances at SXSW in Austin, TX. A string of shows across New Zealand followed, including opening for No Age, Gang Of Four and Sebadoh. Subsequently, they signed to US label Shifting Sounds.
March 2020 they performed at New Colossus Festival in NYC as part of a US tour. Meanwhile back in NZ the singles Bird of Ill and Cold Moon both went to #1 on the 95bFM Top Ten. 24 April 2020 saw the global release of the LP Leaving Room.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Swallow the Rat
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