Just as I was thinking they don�t make staggeringly original bands of this caliber anymore, along charges the UK-based quartet in this Anglo-Japanese outfit all set to conquer the world. If only the world at large is prepared to listen.
What this band produce is a truly raucous, uncompromising rock sound the likes of which you probably have never heard before, and - I guess - is best described as a severely hyped up cross between the Alt.-punk-Emo-throttle of Mclusky and the sexy craziness of hip Yanks the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!
Back in January 2003, English lad Adrian Lane put an ad in the �NME� and proceeded to hook up with Japanese singer Machiko Kimura, and the rest � as some teasingly say � is history. With Adrian one of two guitarists (excluding their bassist) in the band, he then roped in his own sister to batter the drums for them.
These four songs in EP-opener �Tether,� �Ichi Maru Nana,� �Second Place� and the title track of the EP (that rounds this release off just as intensely as starts it) are the premier tangible evidence of this band�s far-reaching potential as one seriously kick-ass band.
�The Key� EP truly is overwhelmingly intoxicating, with all four songs short, brutally bittersweet outings of angularly cutting guitars and bizarre arrangements that really can�t fail to grab your attention. The pained rasps of trumpet that see out �Tether� suggest they aren�t aiming for perfect musical production, and are more preoccupied with turning heads with their raw sound, while the title track �The Key� itself is unbelievable for the fact that it sounds as though there are five songs been thrashed out simultaneously- and with a running time of just 80 seconds, it sure goes to prove that Breakneck Static hate wasting time and mincing words. Nope, they aren�t ones for writing slow or meandering songs that take an eternity to get to the point, as Machiko�s vocals on �Ichi� prove to be so fearlessly frantic, against the vibrantly hyperactive music, that these guys are meant to be heard and their sound is derived of no other band�s sound � it�s all their own.
Rousing passion this racy is rare these days, and for the duration of this super-cool-funky-fantastic EP the emphasis of the band�s name is most certainly on �breakneck.� Breaking legs suddenly doesn�t seem as fun anymore.
(Steve Rudd)
www.breakneckstatic.co.uk