SuperMild is a busy band playing lots of venues and entertaining crowds with their blend of reggae tinged psychedelic rock. Their debut, self-titled four song EP is out now, and it spans the many sounds the band can summon with just three members. Perhaps it is the succinctness of a power trio that allows them to change or blend genres so effortlessly. The cover features the three members, wearing colourful clothing looking bemused, and with the retro font for the logo, it all gives the impression the band don’t take themselves too seriously; and with a clever name like SuperMild I was expecting just a little bit of humour in the mix. I wasn’t disappointed.

Self Respect begins the EP with a classic reggae beat, a smooth bass and tasty guitar chord stabs. The song is about the betrayal of a friend, with the verses being all silky but salty: “I used to think you had my back, and then you went on the attack, then you sold me out, there can be no doubt, you know, you know, what you did”. That’s before the band erupts into a short, sweet and furious chorus that brings the rock into the mix, “And if you think that I would just come running back – you must think that I ain’t got no self-respect!” It’s a great transition from the low energy chilled out atmosphere into a rockier gear. Then, at the conclusion of the song, the band changes once again into a funk rhythm complete with a tasteful, phased out guitar solo. What else could you want from an opening track?

Low Level Rebellion is a little more fuzzy rock, like Fu Manchu. It has catchy blues based riffs for the majority of the tune, but most listeners would be surprised when there’s an actual Iron Maiden harmonized bridge for a great end. The lyrics here are playful and ‘tongue in cheek’ which helps the whole vibe.

Should Have Known Better returns with the reggae rhythm, with a busy bassline and tasteful leads. Originally, I thought this song was a cover of an old blues standard, but it could be a homage to a whole tradition of using similar words to begin a blues song. The lyrics include “My mama said, be careful, woah, my son, she’s gonna mess with your head, and tell you that you’re the one” which begins the tale of love gone wrong. There’s a clever rock chorus turnaround between verses, and a throaty, expressive solo to boot. The song picks up speed for a thrilling conclusion, utilising harmonized runs that almost sounds like a Prince tune. The funk is strong with this one. And the blues. And the reggae. Phew!

Dirty Little Rat is the last song and uses a raw, distorted riff; yet there’s still funk somewhere in the rhythm. The song is lively and comical, alternating between using rats as a metaphor for people and literal rats crawling in walls. Oh yeah, and there’s a catchy, melodic wah drenched solo too.

This EP is a tight little demonstration of what this band can do. There’s absolutely no fat on this – not a moment is wasted or sounds repetitive. There’s lots of room (what with being a trio) for the guitar and bass to separate their lines, which allows some very busy bass lines to enunciate while the guitar decorates and expresses the structures created by the bass. The drums are crisp (which is funny because the drummer’s last name is Crispe) and play some phenomenal beats at moments, but mostly the percussion supports the song. Vocals are soulful and sensitive, occasionally pushing into a natural hoarseness that can sound quite bluesy or RnB.

A band to look out for and one that could support a large range of bands. Six60, Kora, Fat Freddy’s Drop, or The Exponents – all these bands could have these boys open for them.

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Devilskin
• 8
  Coridian
• 9
  The Boondocks
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

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  LOST BiRD @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
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  Just Janie @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 15/12/2024
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  Dream Chambers @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024
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  The Phoenix Foundation @ Meow Nui, Wellington - 14/12/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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