If, in a years' time, The New Black aren't making space on the toilet wall for yet another Gold Record or ugly-designed award and topping the Mainstream charts, then I'll eat my stripy black & black teeshirt. Oh, hang on...the charts. I forgot, there's no way to infiltrate the girl-pop and booty-videoin' r and b. Not like back in Ratcat's chart-topping days in the early 90s when that was possible. I suppose The New Black are reminding me of Ratcat (and Simon Day's next band 51 Monday) because of their shared inspiration from one of pop-punk's Greatest Treasures, the Buzzcocks. It's there in the vocal stylings and the melodic buzzsaw guitars and tunes. But the New Black definitely have their own thing going on. The lyrics are cool, too. "I think I've had too much wine, oh no, I'm falling in love" they sing in 'Karenins Smile'. The New Black are from the Carlton-Northcote area of Melbourne and the 'current lineup' (does that mean they're expecting a few changes?) of Etienne (guitar/vocals,) Scott (guitar), Jonny (bass) and Paul (drums) formed in June 2004. They used to be called Run On One. One of the better name changes, we thinks. As Run On One, The New Black have a song on Popboomerang's Shake Your Boomerang compilation from 2003. newblack2
If these guys aren't snapped up by a chequebook-wielding Major or insightful, enthusiastic label then I'll be very surprised. One word of advice - don't get bogged down in contractual bullshit, recording demos for the demos to demo the album demos - despite being timeless powerpop, this music needs to be heard now! Great example of a band bio, too. -ND
contact: runonone@hotmail.com scott@ridemanagement.com.au
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