Oxford noise merchants Killer Kowalski have a new track called Landlord Leonard they want to share with us, and after finding out their sound is influenced by bands like The Clash, Idles and Sex Pistols I’m pretty sure I want to hear it!
A fat as fuck bass run kicks things off before guitar joins in, but already this track has a groovy kind of swing to it that is infectious and fun.
But it’s when the vocals kick in that the punk side of the equation finds its feet, with a snarling mix of disinterest and contempt harnessing the best attributes of that enter generation of punk rock that has definitely inspired it.
These guys are fucken awesome, hinting at a malevolent underbelly while coasting along on the surface, oblivious to the world around them.
And music is never more dangerous or brilliant than when approached with no fucks given.
Suddenly the bass feels the need to go for another walk and the rest of the band dutifully oblige by pulling back and letting their bass player trot off on his merry way.
Groove, funk, attitude, these guys have it all. Even a hint of surf rock thrown in for good measure.
But it’s the freedom allowed the bass that really makes Killer Kowalski stand out. Too often these days the bass is thought of more as an accompaniment to a band’s sound, but when given room to breathe it can be a powerful and destructive element.
Vocal breakdowns, bass solos, groove and buckets of fun all wrapped in one sonic package. How the fuck could you not love that?
