Enticing Melbourne rock fans to unfold their arms and move toward the stage is a challenge few bands meet. The average rock’n’roll outfit rarely evokes a punter’s desire to really move. Dancing one’s arse off, what’s more, is a rockeratti myth - rumours of rock-induced gyrations waft out of closed-door venues and after-parties but it’s seldom seen in the public bar.
Money For Rope reject this history. They’ve never seen it at their shows. Their crazed rock’n’soul surf garage parties always transform a stoic and cynical crowd into an exuberant force on par with the band’s own rabid energy. The jaw-dropping energy of two drumkits, two guitars, a bass, four voices and keys command the response of an electrified room and, Jesus Christ, do they get it.
They got it when they supported The Vasco Era, The Mess Hall, Those Darlins, Even, The Meanies, Celibate Rifles, Bob Log III, The Cruel Sea, Wolf & Cub and Fearless Vampire Killers. They got it when they played to thousands at Splendour In The Grass, Cherry Rock, and the legendary Reclink Community Cup. They’ve been dreaming of getting it since they first heard Sunnyboys, Radio Birdman and The Saints.
Money For Rope’s debut single “Slow Dance/No.18” was snatched up by MajorLabel for digital release in 2010; second single — “My House or Yours/Six Gun Johnny” — was pressed onto 7” vinyl for a sell-out launch at The Old Bar; somewhere in between, the six men picked up Best New Artist nomination in The Age’s EG Awards and completed a whirlwind east coast tour.
The third 7” record to spill out from the melee — “I've Had Days/December”, recorded at Newmarket Studios, mixed by Callum John Barter (British India, Mike Noga & The Gentlemen Of Fortune, Gun Street Girls, The Pictures) — is now proudly rolled out on Barely Legal through Fuse Music.
Money For Rope are coming for you next. They’re good and they mean it.
Listen back to Garageland with Ruby Soho for a live set from Money For Rope.
