There’s got to be something in the water over in Western Australia, because the region has been historically responsible for some of the most exciting psychedelic rock acts of the last decade. One of those acts are Perth’s Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.
The psych-rock four-piece celebrated the release of their third full-length, And Now For The Whatchamacallit, at the very end of May, one that we called the “kick on to Australia’s latest wave of psychedelic rock”.
They’ve been relentlessly touring all around the world basically since January. They’ve wrapped up tours of the US, Europe, the UK and Australia and they’re still set to return to all of those places later in the year too.
With Splendour In The Grass’ 2019 instalment looming ever closer, Perth’s psych-rock sons PPC are gearing up to take their hectic live show to Byron Bay, playing on Sunday at 4.15pm in the GW McLennan Tent. In the spirit of epic live shows and PPC’s raucous energy, Jack McEwan of the band put together a pre-Splendour pump-up playlist to bump on your way to the fezzy.
Expect some sounds from psych rock favs like Pond and Tame Impala, and then expect the unexpected too (hello, Santigold!). Listen below.
Wolfmother – ‘Colossal’
This track (and album) back in 2006 stood alone from everything, an untouchable tone. Was such a refreshing sound that helped pioneer Australia as one of the leading exporters of heavy rock, they opened the door for pretty much every band that followed.
Wolf Alice – ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’
Grit them teeth, such a big riff! The kick and bass note at 1:18 is worth the admission fee alone.
Pond – ‘Giant Tortoise’
Enormous sound. One of my main influences growing up in Perth. Hopefully we won’t be holding out for too long ”till they release another massive psych-doom album similar to Hobo Rocket.
The Streets – ‘Fit But You Know It’
Greatest song of the 2000’s? It’s definitely up there.
Tame Impala – ‘Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind’
One of the greatest tracks a Southern-Hemispeherian-Biped has ever constructed. Think they still fang this one in the set too, will be all ears, Gavin.
The Nude Party – ‘Water On Mars’
Met these fellas down in Brighton for The Great Escape Festival, lovely chaps, they played a really upbeat set reminiscent of Foxygen and Babe Rainbow, both liberators of Bowie and The Stones who some might even say remind them of Robert Johnson and other early Blues pioneers, still stands strong nearly 100 years later, so good band.
Tropical Fuck Storm – ‘You Let My Tyres Down’
Best song of 2018 for me. Must have played it a thousand times in our tour van. Can’t wait to lose a lung screaming along to this one.
Pist Idiots – ‘Motor Runnin’
Great pub rock track. I can’t wait to hear this through a fat P.A, put on my VB singlet and pogo stick my way to the front.
Foals – ‘Balloons’
Such a timeless track, intricate, clean, progressive, a muddle of genres on display here, Boris.
Courtney Barnett – ‘Pedestrian At Best’
One of Australia’s biggest export these days. Courtney’s been killing on every continent with great song writing, big riffs, Dylan-esque lyrics that capture colloquial Australian life perfectly. She invented Pseudo-Folk.
Spacey Jane – ‘Feeding The Family’
A great Perth band who’ve shot out the blocks here and are selling out venues Australia wide. Be quality to get a good old festival gurn with ’em.
Ocean Alley – ‘Yellow Mellow’
Love these chaps. Watched them come up from playing Indi Bar a few years back sinking pints with locals to now headlining festivals. They’ve still kept that humble vibe, we actually had the privilege of one of the lads doing our light show at Reeperbahn festival in Hamburg, it was pretty good haha.
The Beths – ‘Future Me Hates Me’
The guitar tone for the chorus is massive. Such a good pace to the whole song.
A Swayze & The Ghosts – ‘Reciprocation’
These blokes also played The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, unfortunately their set ran over by the length of this here song and cut the poor old Porn Crumpets set to a mere 15 minutes. So I’m including this song as it serendipitously sums up perfectly what I was feeling while watching The Ghosts perform, pure unadulterated anxiety. My favourite line is “Why am I waiting for you?”
Santigold – ‘Disparate Youth’
This a tune! I can imagine this’ll be on everyones list. fair play.
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Splendour In The Grass kicks off today, Thursday, 18th July at its home at the Byron Bay Parklands. Get planning with the official set times here and read all about the weekend’s weather forecast here.
