Mosh with a message
Mark Mark
Heifer
Available from <http://surf.to/heifer>
Glister
Glister
4-track CD
Available from <http://fly.to/glister>
Review by Barry Healy
Triple J listeners will be familiar with western Sydney mosh masters Heifer's single, "Mark Mark", which is currently on high rotation. The single is a joyous, noisy and meaningless thrash-dance romp. People expecting similar raucous vacuousness will be surprised by Heifer's seven-track EP. This is mosh with a message.
Heifer are a hard act to characterise because they refuse to limit the genres they throw into their mix. Are they punk, rock, funk, metal or groove? Take your pick, it's all there.
There is an abundance of heavy, banging guitar but they spice it up with sudden time-changes and then chuck in a bit of a crazy sampling just to keep you guessing.
Several tracks show a strong interest in shaking up the audience. "Reap" is a slashing attack on capitalism. Heavy with funky bass and sharp guitar lines, it raps out a message that takes up where Public Enemy leave off. It howls: "Fuck the power". This track could serve as the anthem for the September 11 actions against the World Economic Forum in Melbourne.
"Nancy Boy Surprise" is a heavy metal daydream about the ultimate revenge against gay bashers. It tells a tale of two homophobes being shot to pieces by one of their victims. It's about as subtle as a Dock Martin being ground into your face, but who's complaining. It's great hearing this message being put about.
Glister's sound is about as far removed from Heifer as you could get, although they are also part of the same western Sydney scene. It has a finely honed light pop sound with crafted guitar lines and clear vocals. They have been playing together since high school so they have grown together as a unit.
Their EP shows how well struggling bands can use today's new technology. It was produced on a CD burner at home! In addition to the four tracks there are photos, band biographies and other information about the group.
The songs continue the very personal direction that was set on Glister's previous CD Aristarchus. The lyrics reflect the feelings of young people trapped living on the edge of a metropolis: distrustful of the city's alienation yet drawn to the bright lights.