I've found a few very cursory mentioningses...of The Drones, but these guys more than warrant a thread of their own.
This is haunted, lyrical, blacker-than-tar, virtuosic music. It's lacerating. It gets under one's skin the way a broken bottle does, and fucks up important organs. Ok, so I'm not making it sound like much fun to listen to. Bear with me.
The band, who are from Perth in Australia, are not just confrontational and depraved. It's not only music for people who are tied off and infected and suicidal in a gutter somewhere. There's a lot of triumph, redemption and catharsis going on, specifically on Wait Long By the River and Gala Mill, their second and third albums respectively.
Miller's Daughter, a selection of "outtakes" frontman Gareth Liddiard said himself weren't really outtakes (nobody would question him having heard it) is a bit more evil, but no less satisfying. Some might want to begin with Gala Mill or Wait Long, which have some very palatable, even pretty songs. If the guys wanted to make pop music, they very much could. Their debut Here Come the Lies and the Miller's Daughter collection, on the other hand, are a bit more uncompromising. You will still LIKE the songs, it's still rock music - not "noise" or "experimental" really at all. But the addiction and obsession and despair in the lyrics is paired with some truly macabre guitar playing. Imagine a murderous, slobbering alcoholic zombie Jimi Hendrix playing pitch-black gothic punk. Yes, it gets that good. And it's never atonal, never exhausting or droning (LOL) like so many other bands that attempt to sell this kind of aesthetic. There's always a hook, there's always a stinging guitar line or drum pattern (usually both) that will remind you to rock.
This is one of the most exciting bands I've come across in a long, long time.
I only got "Wait Long By The River," and wasn't terribly impressed (though i really liked a few songs). I like it when they rock out much more than when they slow it down a lot... and i mean, they slow it down A LOT.
The pitchfork review of Wait Long by the River is actually quite dead on, though i mostly hear the Laughing Hyenas and not as much Birthday Party - I think the reviewer just felt like mentioning the Birthday Party because both bands are Australian. They do have a Gun Club vibe... Ah hell, here's the review if anyone's interested:
I'd say they kind of sound like a more bombastic version of the Hold Steady, only with more diversions into drawn-out rock territory - ala Laughing Hyenas.
Good band, what should i get if i like their more pissed-off sounding moments? I never tried Gala Mill or anything else.
Posts: 401 | Location: California | Registered: 06 March 2008
Dark and bracing don't really equate to pissed-off-sounding, but sure I'll take it that way. I listened to them again last night, I like some songs, but not others. The slow ones lose my attention, and not because i don't listen to slow and long, drawn out songs, but because they tend to move in predictable directions in my opinion.
Still a good band, however, maybe just not my cup 'o tea.
Posts: 401 | Location: California | Registered: 06 March 2008
It's not really angry stuff. It's more of the despairing/desperate persuasion. As far as harsh music, you've kinda got the miserable and then the violent. And this is more miserable.
People who say dumb shit because of past forum arguments must be the worst people in the world. Don't respond to my threads because you want to voice your meaningless, empty, irrelevant disagreement with something BlackGravel said. It's pathetic.
Originally posted by BlackGravel: People who say dumb shit because of past forum arguments must be the worst people in the world.
They certainly must. But what does that have to do with me having seen the Drones a bunch and not liking them? And then mentioning that fact in an internet forum thread about the band?
--- Sometimes fake fights turn out bad, sometimes actresses get slapped.
Posts: 289 | Location: Map Ref. 41° N 93° W | Registered: 19 August 2007
BlackGravel,I have not been on this site in years....well posted at least, but yours brought me back. I was singing the Drones'praise a few years ago, and like your own post, got no catch. I listed them on two year-end best of lists and still nothing. I pointed to the Pitchfork review of Gala Mill and still nothing.
They're probably one of those bands that dont hit you in the guts until you see them live. The one-two staple live punch of "She had an abortion that she made me pay for" and "The Millers Daughter" is as good as rock music gets.
Posts: 91 | Location: Melbourne | Registered: 04 July 2005
Originally posted by BlackGravel: People who say dumb shit because of past forum arguments must be the worst people in the world. Don't respond to my threads because you want to voice your meaningless, empty, irrelevant disagreement with something BlackGravel said. It's pathetic.
did you just refer to yourself in the third person? i thought only professional athletes and my grandmother did that. niiice.
No, actually. I was referring to the concept that several young people, like probably you, have of me.
I should take this opportunity to point out that jokes or slights about "referring to one's self in the third person" aren't particularly clever. Not that you're a grievous offender in this case, but this kind of shit has become an epidemic. Also not so funny or interesting: Sharper Image/Skymall references, Iggy Pop references, midgets/monkeys/zombies/robots/pirates, the word "bitch," and most any other half-ironic implement semi-hipster webcomic authors, bloggers and forum members utilize to get teh laughs. Knock it off.
If you're looking to see any and every unfunny, obnoxious, pretentious trope in one place, check this one out:
It seems to be written by a totally unoriginal, uncreative, boring person of average intelligence who is DEAD SET on convincing the world he/she is original, creative, exciting and smart.
No, actually. I was referring to the concept that several young people, like probably you, have of me.
I should take this opportunity to point out that jokes or slights about "referring to one's self in the third person" aren't particularly clever. Not that you're a grievous offender in this case, but this kind of shit has become an epidemic. Also not so funny or interesting: Sharper Image/Skymall references, Iggy Pop references, midgets/monkeys/zombies/robots/pirates, the word "bitch," and most any other half-ironic implement semi-hipster webcomic authors, bloggers and forum members utilize to get teh laughs. Knock it off.
If you're looking to see any and every unfunny, obnoxious, pretentious trope in one place, check this one out:
It seems to be written by a totally unoriginal, uncreative, boring person of average intelligence who is DEAD SET on convincing the world he/she is original, creative, exciting and smart.
Does anyone else find this whole diatribe ironic?...
Sorry, Black Gravel, you had to have known a jab was coming. But just so you know, I listened to the Drones today and I enjoyed them. Thanks for the recommendation.
"The only thing hotter than this hot tub is you two ladies."
Posts: 260 | Location: Tucson | Registered: 10 December 2007
I could have predicted the attack, sure. But I'd have hoped for better execution. The only part that could be called "ironic" as a slight to me is the last sentence. Not the "whole diatribe."
The Drones' music IS poison. That's for sure. The best kind.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlackGravel,
I could have predicted the attacked, sure. But I'd have hoped for better execution. The only part that could be called "ironic" as a slight to me is the last sentence. Not the "whole diatribe."
Next time, I'll be sure to "attacked" you with better execution
"The only thing hotter than this hot tub is you two ladies."
Posts: 260 | Location: Tucson | Registered: 10 December 2007
I could have predicted the attacked, sure. But I'd have hoped for better execution. The only part that could be called "ironic" as a slight to me is the last sentence. Not the "whole diatribe."
Next time, I'll be sure to "attacked" you with better execution
Sure, ok, so we've got my Typo VS. your Embarrassing Failure to Use "Ironic" Properly. Round 1, Fight
Don't fuck with me while I'm looking for a summer job. Things are bad enough.
Originally posted by JGlass: Finding a summer job is definitely a bitch. I'm having a hell of a time out there...
I just came off a months-long stranded-in-the-desert search for wat- er, I mean, a job. Manual labor at a saw mill stacking lumber. Yee haw. That was a bitch. Good luck guys.
