Powder Chutes - EP Review: Sweet Noise Pollution
There is always that little hint of concern when reading a press
release for a new EP and realise it contains a quote from yours truly for the
single which was taken from it. How would they take it this time around if I
panned this release? Luckily, I have always worked on honesty is the best
policy and try to write in a manner which is constructive as opposed to
destructive, but I needn’t have worried in any case as the first time I played
this five-track set I knew we were onto yet another good ‘un. I said it last
time, but it is worth mentioning again, but this Wanaka-based group is stupidly
young with three of them 16 years of age and one of them just 14! None of them look
old enough to shave, yet somehow, they are bringing together melodic hooks and
rock in a manner which far belies their young age.
There is a naïve Shihad approach to their music, something that is incredibly endearing which grabs the listener’s attention from the off. They lead with the single Take It Or Leave It, which brings in elements of Pearl Jam and Nirvana, loads of energy and space within the arrangement and an almost tribal drum pattern keeping everything tight. Any concerns I may have had of them having just one good song and approach was soon removed when they started the delicate Haunted, where the picked guitars and dominant bass support the vocals in the introduction, with the drums only coming in when the song really gets going. They combine pop sensibilities and melodies with rock and grunge to create something which is just damn fun to listen to and turn it up to the max. There is the impression that they are a fun band to go and see live, as there is a connected energy between them which only comes from playing in that environment as opposed to just a studio act. Singing It Off has far more classic 70’s rock influences and is one of the highlights of the EP, and one just keeps wondering if they are doing this now, just what are they going to sound like when they are old enough to buy me a beer?
They are going to be playing as part of the Bay Rock 2022 Festival
next month, and if you are planning to go just to see the headliners, I suggest
you get there early and ensure you catch the other bands as well as the swagger
within these five songs are guaranteed to make you smile.
About Powder Chutes
The band are described by Radio One 91FM as “already punching well above their weight in the Aotearoa music scene. With chunky riffs, and BIG fills, they have every head turning”.
Powder Chutes recently opened for ZZ Top, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Stone Temple Pilots and The Angels in front of 18,000 people at Gibbston Valley and headlined the Friday night live stage at the 2023 Burning Horse Festival.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Powder Chutes
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