The Morrisons are best described as an attack and awe band - ie think short, sharp punk rock blows with all tracks under the two and a half minute mark on their debut full length release Hard Hoarse. Or as Dom Alessio from Triple J so succinctly said “Frenetic, loose and skuzzy. Very Cool!” No mucking around, energetic frenzied attack is their modus operandi, a fact that is clearly evident from the first harrowing, hard-hitting chords delivered on the album by this Melbourne five piece. Fast furious, and flat out, it grabs you by the throat from the get go and gives you a damn good shake and doesn’t let up until you crash back to the floor and wonder what the hell just happened to you thirty one minutes later. That’s fourteen songs in just a smidge over thirty minutes. That’s musical economy and that’s proof of their ethos and love of DIY punk rock attitude.
Hard Hoarse is an album complete with sharp riffs, rasping vocals, catchy choruses and punk dance floor anthems, coupled with angst riddled lyrics. And that is what they deliver at break-neck speed, so you better hold on tight. It was recorded and produced by the band’s guitarist Nick Carver at his own Exile On High St Studios.
Essentially the sound The Morrisons create involves an amalgamation of full-tilt infectious high-energy rock and roll, punk and HR Puffnstuff funtimes. It’s a pastiche of punker cool, angst laden but confident rock, and ‘mad as hell and we’re not gonna take it anymore’ attitude delivered with a side serve of tongue in cheek swagger.
The Morrisons formed a few years ago after a mutual love of bands of influence such as Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys, and Black Flag and they are not dissimilar to those as well as the likes of Flipper and The Buzzcocks etc. They just really adore playing live together and creating a racket in the studio. They are Pete McKew (vocals), Nick Carver (guitar), Justin Salmon (guitar), Nathan Brailey (bass) and Lizzie Dynon (drums).
Described as ‘about as easy to ignore as a punch to the ear’ by Tone Deaf, fun times, blitzkrieg twin fuel attack sounds which rock out is this band’s trademark. Hard Hoarse will automatically have you reaching for the repeat button on your stereo.
Listen back to Fang It! with Ruari for a live set from The Morrisons.
