ninehertz

When a member of The Cosmic Dead and Headless Kross hastily and enthusiastically interrupts a band’s self-release to sign a band and put their imminent album out for the first release on their newly formed label, it’s worth paying attention.

Attack of the Stick Insects have assembled this excellent album of prog, psych, post-punk and space rock as their opening gambit, which many a seasoned band would be proud of as their crowning achievement. Despite the potential for long-form in several of those genres listed, it is tight – many of the ten songs blast by in under three minutes, in a wild garage rock formation.

I’m immediately drawn to comparisons to an under-heralded Leeds band, Self Immolation Music, which is a good starter. What Attack of the Stick Insects prove however is that they’re restless and no single defining description lasts for long. A couple of tracks in the first half divert from the psych-garage into post-hardcore, and when combined with space noises they make elbow room for themselves within this established sound.

There’s the swaggering and free self-titled song that stands out, elsewhere elements of funk and then experimental art indie. The lively Fuck the SLC drops from the happy rising inflection of its beginning to the punk fight against what I’m guessing is their local South Lanarkshire Council (or College). It all ends with the superb, unrestrained cosmic effects riddled Grimace.

You can see why the label wanted this to be their first release – it is rare to find a debut, a band’s introduction to the world, as exciting and fully formed as this.