Ground Components – ‘Hands In The Air’
A post on these favourite Melbourne sons of ska / punk / rockers Ground Components is long overdue. I’ve thought about them for a long time and didn’t want write a half arsed entry just because their album came out last year and people were talking about them. Prior to the release of Eye For A Brow, Tooth for A Pick album release, I haven’t really been keeping track with their developments. I know they had a fair bit of buzz around 2 years ago, but failed to keep this going in momentum, resulting in people dismissing them as another one of those bands that missed the boat. But after moving to Melbourne (six months ago now) I’ve started hanging around the scene people who eventually led to meeting the guys in the band, and found out how the band developed, the scene they came from and how that shaped the sound they have perfected in the album.
The Groundies represent a sound that is not only distinctively Australian, but uniquely Melbourne. The basic shout/singing style of Joe is a result of a community that had its roots in the ska/punk scene still thriving today in parts of Melbourne. Coming from Sydney where this scene is nonexistent it’s all quite new to me, and I’m not sure if it exists in anywhere else in the country. A typical ska-punker would wear black band t-shirt, 3/4 black dickies shorts, more than plenty facial hair and has an ever present whiff of bong water smell hanging around.
There are many songs on this album that is quality tunes that will be posted here in the future, it might be hard to get used to at first because of non melodic vocal style. To start with, I’ve blogged their current single ‘Hands In The Air’, the perfect introductory song to Groundies sound. It’s now time for me to see their reputable live show, they are playing tonight at the East Brunswick Club so come join me.
April 13, 2007 6:10 pm
not a massive macromantics fan, but the track off this album they do with her is the best on the album. coming in from all angles. best bass line.
April 15, 2007 8:56 pm
groundies are amazing, one of the best bands in aus, i dont really pick up on these ska influences you’re talking about, more surf rock sounds, iggy pop, loud fucking rock in general.. opening track is fantastic – epic fuzzy obscure passionate whatever, it gives me goosebumps.
April 20, 2007 1:20 pm
i dig the one with the ‘At The Drive In’ style angry vocals. i think it was the first single.
and yeah the macromantics one is ace