02 Aug 2020 // A review by Lou Clement
Racing took to the stage on the penultimate date of their Flashback tour. The four-date stop off comes ahead of their highly-anticipated second album release. The very last stragglers for the sold out Whammy gig poured in through the door and into, what I would describe as, a post pandemic party vibe: it was sweaty, it was packed and there was not a mask in sight. I saw a man do a little dance as he clinked his beer bottle in a toast; we were here for the music, but it’s been a while and I know I appreciate this experience a whole lot more.

The band have said that performing live is an irreplaceable litmus test of their music - and as a member of the crowd it was like being dipped in a big container of funk, rock n roll and then spray painted with psychedelic flourishes. The music is people pleasing and that’s both intentional and welcome. If they were selling stuff with their music I’d take three.

The music ramped up from the opening track as lead singer Edward Knowles, in a shirt that reminded me of Primal Scream album cover, sang all the way to the back of the crowd and the band made a soulful, rocky clang which had the nose to nose excited gig goers, respond with a friendly fracas. The band stormed through their fresh and more familiar tracks, playing my favourite If Only and the addictive new single Flashbacks, which has a dash of disco, maybe that’s just me...

The four piece Auckland-based made a big noise, I love a small venue gig but I fully appreciate this kind of music would also sound great in a field under the glare of the sun, roll on summer festival season, I hope to catch this band out there. And here’s to more live music please, we all need to hear it and dance like loons together too, it’s important.

Auckland-based four piece, Racing, take rock and roll and inject it with a chemical haze so potent the listener is left both pleased and punished. Once likened to “the thoughts of a crocodile in flood season”, the band crafts a swirling sea of groove and hypnosis into rock anthems drenched in weird tropical dance music.

Racing released their debut album Real Dancing in 2019. They were subsequently nominated for Best Rock Artist at the 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. Singles Motel Pool, Run Wild and Party Slow all reached number one on the rock music charts.

Racing is made up of long-time collaborators Ed Knowles (vocals) and Sven Pettersen (guitar); two crucial parts to the colossus that was The Checks. The two time Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards winners (Best Rock Album) from Auckland, made their way into the pages of NME while sharing the stage with Oasis, REM, The Hives, AC/DC, The Killers and Muse on different tours. Knowles and Pettersen are joined by two other heavy hitters from the Kiwi Alternative scene - Daniel Barrett (Bass) formerly of Sherpa and Izaak Houston (Drums) formerly of Space Creeps.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Racing

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