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Head Like A Hole - Blood Will Out Album Review 2

03 Aug 2011 // A review by Peter-James Dries

If you’ve never heard of Head Like a Hole give yourself a slap. Do it. Right there on your back. Give yourself a high-five. You’re obviously one of those law-abiding citizens that has never been pinged for indecent exposure while running down your street, completely plastered, after stripping naked while listening to ‘Wet Rubber’ at irresponsible levels on your flatmates stereo. But don’t worry your time has come. Booga and the boys are back with music to make you want to rip your clothes off.

Singles ‘Swagger of Thieves’ and the anthemic ‘Glory Glory’ have already cemented their places in mandatory rock radio play lists around the country and added a new wave of fans to the die-hard originals who knew what it meant to rock denim and mullets with no sense of irony. If you think you like those songs listen to ‘Valhalla.’

Do it. Now. Seriously. Turn it up louder.

Now tell me you don’t have an urge two-and-a-half minutes into the song to chuck on a tribal mask and chant “Valhalla” while dancing about like a crazy bastard. Take the mask off if you feel stupid, I know work mates are prone to giving strange looks to people enjoying a bloody good album during work time. But keep the mask handy; there are more crazy dance bastard moments waiting for you, just on the other side of the near eight minute epic ‘Death of a Friend’.

This album is a representation and celebration of everything that is good and right about Rock n’ Roll; the rock cliché back story of drugs, naked performances and debauchery, Stephanie Woodman’s collection of bloody sexy skulls adorning the covers and illustrating the booklet and dirty top-ripping shreds and rock your pants off riffage. You even get the lyrics so you can growl along when you go to their gigs this August.

NB: The reviewer and the band shall not be held accountable for any charges of indecent exposure or drunk and disorderly behaviour received with the purchase of this record. Drink responsibly.

 

About Head Like A Hole

Formed in Wellington, Head Like A Hole originally consisted of Booga Beazley, Nigel Regan, Andrew Durno and Mark Hamill. Like most young bands, they started out by playing small gigs at local pubs and at various well known live venues. Then quickly started touring the university circuit. The band soon made a name for themselves with energetic and often outrageous live performances, appearing on stage either naked, caked with mud, or covered completely in body paint.

Therefore forming a solid and dedicated following throughout the live music scene. Head like a Hole were soon signed to Wildside Records and began their recording career. 1992 saw the release of their debut album, 13 which the band largley produced themselves. The single Fish Across Face successfully made it into the New Zealand Top 10 charts. In keeping with Head Like a Hole tradition the video for Fish Across Face included a scene where Nigel regurgitates an orange substance into Booga’s mouth and was promptly pulled off air.

Head Like a Hole continued touring and performing the university orientation circuit. Then returned to the studio in 1993 to record their second album. Flik Y'Self off Y'Self. Which was released in stores in 1994 providing two singles. Faster Hooves and Spanish Goat Dancer. After the release of two successful records the band’s popularity and exposure increased, and so Head Like a Hole remained on tour. Playing to capacity crowds and sold out venues throughout the country, and in 1996 secured a position on the bill to play The Big Day Out festival. That same time the band suffered a sudden and tragic loss, with the death of their Manager Gerald Barry Dwyer. And it was late 1996 where they headed back to the studio, this time travelling to Australia and worked on a third album. Double Your Strength, Improve Your Health & Lengthen Your Life. Cornbag, the first single from the album, was released in November 1996, but received only moderate chart success.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Head Like A Hole

Releases

Narcocorrido
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Juicy Lucy
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Cornbag
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Fish Across Face
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Hootenanny
Year: 2014
Type: EP
A Crying Shame
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Spanish Goat Dancer
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Faster Hooves
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Blood Will Out
Year: 2011
Type: Album
Blood On A Honky Tonk Floor
Year: 2000
Type: Album
HLAH IV
Year: 1999
Type: Album
Wet Rubber
Year: 1998
Type: Album
The Not Nicomjool EP
Year: 1995
Type: Album
Flik Y'Self Off Y'Self
Year: 1994
Type: Album
Beelzebeats
Year: 1993
Type: Album
13
Year: 1992
Type: Album

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