Hangman - EP Review - Black Rock White Funk!
14 Jun 2009 // A review by amandashootsbands
While we’ve all been listening to their 2008 release - Trade Goods, the Hangman lads have been hard at work creating their latest EP, Black Rock White Funk! This time round, they’ve recorded and mixed it themselves to provide listeners with a feel for what the band sounds like live. It’s raw, un-touched and could easily pass for being ‘taped’ in my dads garage full of greasy hot rod parts. Dirty. Just the way rock was intended.
But, as the title suggests, you can expect some delectable funk thrown in on the side, which is apparent from the first track on this EP named Agree To Disagree. Bassist, Brent Strathdee and guitarist, Mike Smith carry us to places previously unexplored with this band, which is a welcome surprise and one that I hope to see more of in the future. Third track on this disc, Dirty takes the same approach and has a similar sound to that of Wellington favourites, Odessa.
It’s not all about funk though, with the bands obvious passion for alternative rock, which is first heard in the second track on this disc titled From A To B. Here you’ll really notice the rawness that the lads were aiming for while putting this EP together and it becomes easy to appreciate their true talent as a live act. It’s has such a ‘garage recording’ feel, that when you approach the end of this song it’s expected to hear the guys have a chat at the end.
Front man Seth Suter’s vocals resemble that of previous releases, Grind and Break in the forth track, Got To Move. They remind me very much of Fred Durst, with the music of Rage Against The Machine. Being that one of these matches is an influence, surely this is acceptable behaviour? The final track named Just Be is an instrumental which will ultimately hit the spot of anyone who’s up for a sit down with their eyes closed. It’s easy on the ears and the perfect way to end a unique and unexpected release from the foursome.
In true Hangman style, the crew never sit still with plenty more tricks up their sleeves to keep them out of trouble. The first being a tour of our fine country to play their new concoctions as well as seeing the release of their latest video for their song, Just Be. It’s wicked to watch these guys grow from strength to strength, and overall, I give them an A for effort in producing something fresh and exciting for the ears fans both old and new.
Amanda Ratcliffe