Golden Fang – Here. Now Here –

Golden Fang Here. Now Here. LP came my way by chance. Golden Fang’s LP is produced by Jay Whalley (of Frenzal Rhomb) and influenced by some bands I had not listened to at all or in depth. I am a fan of Even As We Speak who shared a stage with Golden Fang. Luckily due to this I now have another band to listen to. Link below to EAWS a fantastic Sydney band https://meatsheetfanzine.com/even-as-we-speak-adelphi-review/

Being new to Golden Fang and upon initial research, I was a bit intimidated as I don’t know their material or influences well. So bear with me. I’ll break down this record, go listen and you can judge for yourself. In a sentence or two, Golden Fang calls themselves ” guitar therapy pop band”. I deem this accurate and can expand by saying the indie pop on this LP covers fair amount of ground. Golden Fang ties all the songs together with a sound that they own but, offer a few different moods. Some of the songs take you on a journey such as “Spooners Lookout“. Some are strongly written pop. Read on.

I would like to think that they represent city, suburban, and country life.(As in the greater Sydney and surrounding area) As I am not as wordly as I had hoped, I just don’t know for sure, but their LP sure lets my yank mind run amok. The LP cover mixed with listening to the LP paint many pictures for me. Wild felines in a sunset hilly landscape? Will win every time, hats off to Teo Treoloar, the guitarist in Golden Fang. He is also the designer / photographer.

“Clouds Go Round” features bright and upbeat flurries of guitar grooves.

Definitely feels like a revival of past indie material as proclaimed on their Bandcamp . This track starts off animated and zesty but still gritty. Imagine the feeling of being in the pleasantly warm sun all day. It’s not too warm, there may be some grit and dirt, but you are reveling in it. “Clouds Go Round” feels like a fun day of work (it’s all relative, imagine loving what you do). As the band winds down and the “darkness is measured by the glass” Golden Fang is preparing you for a day that is ending with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

In other words, Clouds Go Round – a work horse of a song in which you love your profession.

“Bad Actors” soaks you with catchy songwriting that even my belligerent teen self would have to acknowledge. I can’t help but hear one of my favorite artists Superdrag in the sense of the riffs. (From the Headtrip In Every Key era) The background vocals sublimely compliment the alternate strum pattern and pounding rhythm section. In addition, the guitar tones in general are rich, they can solo, but they don’t overplay which is a basic value I uphold in most structured music.

Next, if “Bad Actors” is too clean for you “Don’t Take Your God To Town” gets dirtier. Even though it has bottom and grit, it does not neglect a pulsing rhythm, that is until it tapers off. Golden Fang seem to master resolving their songs. This one, like “Clouds Go Round” slows down nicely and it feels as if all is well. Bonus points if it’s a nod to Johnny Cash title

“Cowboy For Love” is straightforward hard rock. Carl Redfern’s vocals stand out prominently amidst a college rock backdrop. I do not mean college in an immature sense, more like when college rock was the cutting edge and not every long hair galoot played six string. The guitar solo takes you out of this song and into “Savage Beauty”. Could this be a number that recalls seeing someone so striking that time and space seems to stop? The hazy beat of the drum and bass leads me to believe so.

Quiet and sexy, “Savage Beauty” ends abruptly and “Spooner’s Lookout” enters.

“Spooner’s Lookout” has multiple counterpoints going on. It’s the second longest track and could challenge some people who don’t favor songs with multi faceted arrangements and like shorter songs. I’m usually up for exploring the four minute plus realm on a band by band or case by case scenario. “Spooner’s Lookout” softly opens with nice clean picking and Redfern’s vocal vulnerability. A closed hi hat ? clacks along until 1:40 it changes to uplifting rock and roll. Indicative of a majestic view? The clack cedes to bass and toms of the drum kit. Guitar chords build volume and speed. The chorus “Oh you sweet you You want to feel full impact Live up to an old pact With one last noble act Oh sweet you” Tension builds , release. All is well again. This is some lookout.

After the last two songs being more introspective and quiet, “Jonny Yer Money’s No Good Here” ruffles your feathers. A quick blast that maintains Golden Fang’s indie sound but offers up a little punk or rockabilly edge as interpreted through Sydney’s eyes? (my guess/assumption)

“Ain’t Life Cruel” is an indie pop concoction with a lyrical dose of truth.

“Always waking up from the same dream but with a new drink in your hand / Chasing parked cars around the bed again” Tough love maybe? Truth and life sometimes can be cruel.

“Tonight We’re Gonna Party Like It’s Dunedin 1989” is next. Highlights of this are the rolling bass line, sugary sweet six string harmonic. As Jay Whalley commented, they are not afraid to use an egg shaker. It feels like a jam that turned into a song. That is not to say without a direction. Sounds like a commentary that wants to party its face off and worry about the repercussions later. The guitars howl and squeal. The cymbals take a beating. There is some (I’m envious) kill switch on off guitar work towards the end you may hear on noisier feedback driven bands, think Dischord / Sonic Youth perhaps?

Lastly “Gold Chains And Card Games” closes Here.Now Here. A great choice to wrap up this album.

Throbbing bass line that builds tension. A heartbeat like kick / high hat beat that is used by many of the greatest rock bands.

If that reels you in you get decisive, yet soft guitar arpeggios that dance around the rhythm. It feels like Phil Spector /Motown in a way, sans the R and B and “wall of sound”. It’s all about that “heart” classic beat.

“It’s gold chains and card games /And you can feel love in a close dance/ You can feel love”

Redfern earnestly weaves a vocal tale. Commentary on resort living , or being a worker at a resort? I’m not certain. At around 2:20 the band joins and it feels like they are concluding the song and therefore the album. Golden Fang could have wrote a contrasting loud resolution. Instead they wind back down as on other tracks on Here. Now Here. I can admire this choice. As a result each track it’s own little identity. It keeps continuity. Here. Now Here. is a refreshing change for me as I listen to and write songs with big contrasts. I go for the calm sea that instantly changes to a huge wave crash. Golden Fang is more flowing and subtle in writing.

It seems as if they transmute darker emotions and offer solace in a melody. They can leave their mark without using sheer, blunt musical force.

In conclusion, Golden Fang is a welcome change from my regular listening. They allow me to travel vicariously with Here. Now Here. The musicianship is top notch. I know of Nick Cave but never really listened to him and Birthday Party as closely as I would have liked. Redfern’s vocals do remind me of what little Nick Cave I have heard. A touch of Josh Homme (don’t expect the higher register Homme , though). This record is a destination and I am glad I was able to visit.