If there’s anything worse than a derivative band, it’s surely a derivative band with nothing to say, which in effect wipes thousands of bands off W&H’s radar in one fell swoop. And good riddance to ‘em, an’ all.
Of course it shouldn’t need saying that we need outspoken bands full of fire and mettle more than ever right now, but it’s heartening to know the new outfits like PUBLIC SPEECH still have the courage to rack up their gear in a garage and start ranting about what’s wrong with this land and beyond.
I’m talking in general terms here because this Dalston Trio aren’t really a ‘garage’ band. Sure, they’re hungry and hacked off, but their taut, angular guitars and sinewy rhythms make like an unholy alliance of the Gang of Four and Dr. Feelgood, while frontman Joe Pollution’s dextrous, Chuck D-ish verbal spew needs to be heard to be believed.
But a little context first. Joe’s rapid fire delivery stems from his apprenticeship in the fabled Hackney hip-hop wars and his breakneck delivery and spot-on social commentary makes perfect sense when allied with the band’s punky energy and razor-sharp hooks.
Opener ‘Shoot Em Up’ gives you a good idea what to expect from their debut LP ‘Publicity.’ With ratchet-y guitars, brisk rock rhythms (honourable mention to bassist Kevin Byrne and drummer Bill Austin definitely required here) and a wonderful anti-mediocrity kiss-off hook (“your music is like watching paint dry!”), it’s provocative, confrontational and refreshingly witty fun all the way.
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From thereon in, the highlights come quick and fast. Funky, swaggering outings like ‘Block Party’ and ‘Chat Show’ lob verbal invective around like urban graffiti, while on the sharp, indie-Motown groover ‘Tribute Act’, the heinous crimes committed by the likes of ‘The X-Factor’ are in their sights. Funnily enough, though, one of the most effective tracks is the closing ‘Music is All Opinion’ where PS get all downbeat and world-weary on our ass and actually sound extremely natural while doing so.
Public Speech, then, have plenty to say and don’t need their arms twisted to start shouting. The old adage goes that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but this here ‘Publicity’ is very good indeed and needs to be spread. Get these guys some soapboxes and a regular gig in Hyde Park corner pronto.
Public Speech official website
Public Speech at Reverbnation
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