Review - Heifer “Go”

Single through MGM Distribution

 

I have been waiting for this one since Jo B introduced me to a band, once from Casino in the heart of Beef Country in Northern NSW, now located in the lower Blue Mountains to Sydney’s west. The band is Heifer and the day after I reviewed their debut EP “Mark Mark” I heard them for the first time on the radio very early in their medium-to-high-rotation stay on Triple J. Now comes their next release “Go,” through the good folk at MGM Distribution, which should enjoy more of the same.

 

Andy and Rueben Love, Matt Lyon, Cliff Newman and Rob (ex Malakye Grind) Smith deliver yet again with a punk/metal-styled angst which could best be described as Bodyjar & Pennywise meet PIL, Frenzal Rhomb and Spiderbait. It’s angry, it’s chunky, it’s pacy, and it’s the Heifer that I remember from the two gigs I have actually seen of theirs: whilst Go was more than likely in their repertoire at the time, Shaken To The Core’s hook stands out in my memory of the last show I caught. It’s more than likely that this is one of the ones to which they pogo, sending the masses into a seething, bouncing mosh!

 

My favourite song from the CD is one that probably won’t be played too much on the radio for the same reason as they have included a “Radio Edit” version of the single. Prick follows in the same angry vein as Nancy Boy Surprise from the last record, and serves as a reminder for me of the Bogans singing along to it while Heifer were opening for the Screaming Jets at Blacktown late in 2000. A great song in the same frame as FRC from that band’s debut album!

 

The CD is called “enhanced” because it includes some stuff you can enjoy on your PC. With the excellent video to Mark Mark comes a bio, some press clippings showing other people trying to explain how good the band is, and some pics of the band. Check out the video – if you’re a fan of Rage you may well recognise it: I for one was highly impressed with its quality!

 

If Heifer continue at this pace, they will surely become a band much-sought after for the Australian Summer circuit. “Go,” along with their energy-packed live show, prove that this band are more than consistent and able to meet the demands of such a burden. It’s about time they were taken out of the suburbs and put into the international cauldron.

PG (Jacky) Gleeson

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