Melbourne three-piece Grasshole have released their follow up to their debut album ‘Fuzz of Flavour’ with their second full length release ‘Wildfire’. With heavy stoner-punk influences infused into their 90’s sound, Grasshole found themselves bedded down in Beveridge Road Studios in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria for eleven long days of tracking & recording to produce an album consisting of thirteen tracks of sublime garage fuzz-punk rock.
‘Wildfire’ opens with the short but catchy ‘Put Me In A Bubble’ before the track listing takes us through some twists and turns with highlights including the fast paced ‘Walking By Myself’, the grungy ‘Ain’t Like You’ and the wonderful ‘Bumblebee’, before closing with the floaty ‘Dream of Sleep’.
“We feel this is our strongest album to date. Every song stands up with conviction. Whilst there’s a range of unique song styles permeating the album, it all fits together in typical Grasshole fashion,” states drummer Rick Hawkins.
Due to the current state of the world, Grasshole, consisting of Karis Hawkins (vocals & guitar), Rick Hawkins (drums & vocals) & Brodie Glen (bass & vocals) have had to postpone the national tour that was locked and loaded to promote the album but their reputation as a high-octane live act, which has seen them complete three national & two international tours means this won’t deter the band from rescheduling to unleash their unswaying energy back onto the music scene.
‘Wildfire’ was mixed & mastered by Lindsay Gravina, who has previously worked with the likes of Jet & Hole. The album also features Jack Howard from iconic Aussie band Hunters & Collectors who happens to be old school mates with Rick Hawkins. Rick made the call and Jack ended up laying down the blistering horns that really make this album swing. Howard adds, “I wasn’t sure what to expect when old school mate Rick Hawkins asked me to record with his band Grasshole. What I got was a cracking bunch of concise, inventive, hook-laden songs full of equal parts heavy riffage and melody. It was a pleasure to play trumpet on a few tracks.”
7.5/10
TRACKLIST
Put Me In A Bubble
Shallows
Walking By Myself
Wildfire
Ain’t Like You
The Trials Of Lenny Harlock
First Blood
Tattoo
Be My Homunculus
Bearded Thumb
Take Me By Surprise
Bumblebee
Dream Of Sleep
