“Our love burned-up like a Ginger in the Summer, halfway down Dominion Road...”
Now if this up-tempo fun and friendly song with the above lyric, amongst many clever turns of phrase, doesn’t become a huge hit, I’ll buy a hat just to eat it.
Wellington band Anxiety Club have released a fundraising song Ginger In The Summer, with some of the proceeds going to the Cancer Society.
Lyrically it’s a boy meets girl song, he’s a muso (potentially the greatest indicator that the relationship is doomed) they hang out, fall in love etc.
Here’s the first verse:
“He had a job as a heavy metal drummer
He played the drums in a band
But they made love to the songs of Annie Crummer
In the back of his Hi-Ace van.”
It’s lyrically sharper than a butcher’s favourite knife, and musically gets into your psyche like sand in your togs when you sit in the shallows.
Simply put, it’s a truly great song; catchier than the common cold, and kudos to the band for raising funds for an excellent cause.
It’s $3.99 to digitally download, and a bargain at twice the price.
Oh, and spoilers, the protagonists’ relationship doesn’t last.
Anxiety Club will embark on a national tour of the main centres in March, just as the sun sets on Summer. Be sure to check them out.
Ginger In The Summer is such a good track, it's worthy of being my first 5-star review.
Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, Anxiety Club established themselves early on as an indie act to watch. Over the closing years of the 2010's, they pumped out a steady stream of singles and EPs - from the anthemic Be Still through the alt-country infused Black Heart EP to the guitar-driven post-punk Francine EP, and student radio favourite Ginger in the Summer.
They have toured their home country of New Zealand (inc. co-headlining shows with Miles Calder, Adam Hattaway, Milly Tabak & The Miltones), graced summer festival stages (incl. Coastella, Festival of Lights) and recorded a number of memorable live-to-airs for Radio NZ.
Like for many artists, the pandemic hit hard. Gigs and tours were put on hold and progress on the Francine follow-up slowed to a standstill. They lost band members to other cities during this time too - including founding drummer Chris Hill. What could have destroyed the band instead fuelled a surge of creativity in remaining members Kev Fitzsimons (Thom Cross) and Clint Meech (Matt Langley band). To help them complete their debut album they collaborated with Chris Armour (Miles Calder band) on guitars, Andrew Bain (Fur Patrol) on bass and LA-based beat-maker Zach Simao.