The Pinheads – The Pinheads (Farmer & The Owl)

 

Despite being a garage-punk outfit, The Pinheads are not a Ramones tribute band, their name is derived from their love of bowling. Their sound, however, does draw from 70s punk along with 60s garage and surf.

According to written reports, The Pinheads’ liver show has been described as “eyeball melting”. So, I was looking forward to hearing what they sound like, given the fact that they will be touring New Zealand next month.

A glance at the cover photo reveals that there appears to be seven members of the band…that’s usually enough for two punk bands…and the liner notes give no details of who does what.

The record kicks off with a tune called Second Coming…a rumbling bass line is followed by a scream, and we’re off and running. The sound is a cross of early Stooges, 60s Nuggets-style garage and a pinch of The Saints…hey these guys are Australian (from Wollongong), after all.

But despite a snotty, sneering vocal delivery, and plenty of noise, the overall sound is thin…lacking any real muscle.

Next track, Fight Or Flight, features a pulsing 60-style organ and a cool break down section with fuzz guitar, but again, the production lets the song, and the band, down. The vocals are lost in the mix and there is no power.

This turns out to be the story throughout the nine tracks that comprise that album.

In fact, the only one that seems to rise above the inept production is the last track, Keep It Dark, a more atmospheric number featuring a twangy guitar, echo-drenched vocal and a moody organ solo. Plus, I can make out the lyrics…”I’d rather be bad than nothing at all”…moans the singer. Clocking in at 6 min 35 sec, it’s easily the longest, and most interesting track on the record.

With a little research, it becomes clear why the production sounds so thin.

The band claims that they recorded the album by themselves with no producer and no sound engineer…they were winging it. Sadly, that what it sounds like.

This album makes a good case for the necessity of an engineer and/or producer. It’s clear that this band has something going for it…it sounds like they will be good fun live…but they are doing themselves no favours by taking such a cavalier attitude with their studio work.

C’mon guys…get your act together!

Marty Duda