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The best way to deal with recent comments from Gene Simmons is to simply ignore them. Gene is shrewd. He knows that if he spouts his customary “rock is dead” comments, then people will take what he has said and run with it. His comments get repeated, his name gets plastered around the internet, and his stock rises. Ignore him. Listen to Alice Cooper instead. Alice pushes new acts on his ‘Nights With Alice Cooper’ syndicated radio show, as he knows that without new blood, music is doomed. One such act is Sydney-based youngsters Starcrazy, who have had the privilege of being singled out for praise by Alice after he played their song ‘Long Way Home’ on his show: describing the band as “Retro glam with a hint of RUSH”. Come January 29th people can discover Starcrazy for themselves as the quartet release their debut EP: the six-track ‘Played for Suckers’. And, yep, the praise from Coop is indeed warranted.
So many different flavours to be found amidst the twenty minutes or so which make up ‘Played for Suckers’. The incredible vocals from Marcus Fraser have a high-pitched quality not-too dissimilar to Perry Farrell (especially on ‘Disturb The Peace’ and ‘Not The Only One’), at a push you also could mention Geddy Lee for there are moments throughout which sparks memories of early Rush. Very early Rush, before Neil Peart stretched out and the band became way more proggy. ‘Rise’, the short instrumental piece that opens the EP has a gorgeous, alluring vibe, thanks to the hypnotic bass lines from JB which practically sing to the listener. Think the freaky-ass mid-jam on Alice Cooper’s ‘Halo Of Flies’ mixed with ‘American Horse’ by The Cult. The tones that JB and lead guitarist Odin Wolf coax out of their instruments are staggering and set the scene perfectly for what follows.
What follows is ‘Taking Down The Brutes’, Jane’s Addiction covering ‘Ballroom Blitz’ will do for a starter for ten, but there are so many surprises throughout the track that it will make your head spin. Although it’s classic-tinged, it sounds fresh enough to balk at a “retro” tag. The guitar work is at times blinding, and the fantastically named Odin Wolf looks to be a player to keep an eye on for the future. ‘Long Way Home’ is the track that had Alice Cooper waxing lyrical and the opening instrumental moments do spark a hint of early Rush in a ‘Finding My Way’/‘Working Man’ way. It then takes a turn in the direction of 60’s British R&B; The Yardbirds: The Who; Manfred Mann, that kind of vibe. The backing vocal harmonies are on-point, and again Mr. Wolf impresses with his guitar skills. ‘Disturb the Peace’ has the band changing direction again on a track which had it been recorded by Greta Van Fleet then you would know all about it. A lovely jam between the band members midsong is a delight, the playing is of the highest standard, and with the gang-vocals on the song-title, it’s a track that constantly surprises.
‘Gimme Back My Stereo’ is part-bubblegum power pop and part-classic rock & roll, a fantastic drum sound from Jack Farmer, and hand-claps which prove to be highly infectious. The riff-tastic, bending guitar notes of ‘Not The Only One’ brings this fine EP to an end, and if the purpose of an EP is to leave the listener thirsting for more, then ‘Played for Suckers’ has succeeded in just that. It’s also introduced four young, talented musicians who are out to prove Gene Simmons wrong.
Available 29th January, more information here.
Or pre-order on Bandcamp here
Connect with Starcrazy here.
