First, let me provide a quick potted history for those not familiar with the havoc-inducing Australian punk rockers Nancy Vandal. They’ve been banging around pubs and university campuses for a while, with 2013 marking their 20th anniversary; career highlights include supporting punk legends NoFX, Swedish rockers Millencolin, and veteran hardcore punks Teen Foot Pole; and Jay Whalley of Frenzal Rhomb fame once played bass (despite not knowing how), and produced this, their latest album, the crowd-funded Flogging A Dead Phoenix. Got it?
If you’re not expecting anything brilliant and you like your music raw, loud and fun you’ll probably enjoy Flogging A Dead Phoenix. It’s not exactly Beethoven, but then again, what is? Other than Beethoven. Obviously. Whalley’s influence on the album is evident, with frantic guitars and a sense of orchestrated chaos ruling the day while any attempt at singing in tune has been firmly quashed.
There are a few fun tracks here, although only a couple last for more than the time it will take you to read this sentence. If you like what you hear, the band is currently warming up to take the stage at Soundwave 2014. This might take a while, given that most of the members are now firmly ensconced in their 40s, but good times await anyone who is yet to experience Nancy Vandal live.
BY JOSH FERGEUS
Best Track: A Nurofen From My Euro Friend
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: FRENZAL RHOMB, THE MR T EXPERIENCE
In A Word: Raucous
