On the eve of release we’ll let the press release set the scene:…
Cast your mind back to March 2020… Western Australia is in isolation due to the challenges presented by Covid-19, resulting in the temporary closure of all performance venues. Guitarist Chris Gibbs and bassist Craig Skelton are messaging each other about the effect this is having on them as working – or rather, no longer working – musicians. Craig mentions an idea about a new original power trio, and before the day is over TRIPLE ENGINE is born. Four days later drummer and purveyor of hair Daniel Skelton is on board and debut single ‘Love Thing’ is in the works, having been entirely written via phone and video calls. By August of 2020, TRIPLE ENGINE has recorded and mixed ‘Love Thing’ and completed filming of the accompanying debut music video. And all of this (video shoot aside) without the trio ever being in the same room, let alone the same town. The single peaked at number 3 on the iTunes Rock Charts, as did the follow-up singles ‘The Little Engine That Couldn’t’ and ‘Step Forward’.
The debut full-length album is finally complete and set for digital release to all popular platforms on October 26th, 2024, backed up by limited release on CD (currently available direct from the band) and vinyl (currently available to order direct from the band, arrival expected November 2024). Dan Skelton appears on the re-mastered original three singles for the album and Josh Gallagher appears on the remainder of the recording, which includes a hi-octane version of the ZZ Top classic ‘Beer Drinkers & Help Raisers’. In keeping with the genesis of the band, the album was recorded at multiple locations (mostly at the band members’ home studio set-ups), mixed at Sundown Studios and mastered at Forensic Audio.
Opening up with the funky bounce of ‘Right Tools With the Job’ you are gently eased into the engine room of the band, it’s a low key opener that lays starts up the engine that gives off undertones off ZZ Top yet is less Bluesy and more MOR. It’s a nice start for the band that was nominated in the ‘Most Popular New Act’ category for the 2020 WAMI Awards.
Keeping to the theme ‘The Little Engine That Couldn’t’ has a more Southern Boogie vibe, production is crisp and clear and whilst there’s a little Creedence in there there’s that cool guitar and immediate accessibility that almost transcends trying to pin down a genre. So whilst I find the opening numbers do have the feeling that they are “influenced by the spirit of blues rock trios from the 60s and 70s ‘ there a jazzy piquancy and a clear pop rock sensibility that is more ‘comfortable slippers and a great night in’ than ‘let’s go out and smash up the town’.
‘Take a Slice’ is broodier and rockier and for me one of the best here, there’s Cream in there, even a little early Budgie and I love that languid breakdown. This is the stuff! ‘Hit ‘Em With a Left’ that follows takes that rockier edge and the funk of the opener and collides them. I love the Prog aspect throughout and the groove here is killer. It’s another winner.
‘Big Smart Rock’ that follows really ups the pace and really does capture that rocking power trio vibe, with even a little Van Halen vibe there in the mix. It’s another you’ll love. ‘Western Shore’ by way of contrast is a real good slow Blues Western Australian style. ‘Love Thing’ comes in as the closet we get to Triple Engine’s ‘Money For Nothing’ half theme song, half soft Prog epic, is probably the most complex song here taking in all of the elements and polishing them up nicely. The more I hear it the more I love it!
As covers go ZZ Top’s ‘Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers’ sure brings back some memories of my early teen years when Z.Z. were gods and ‘Tres Hombres’, ‘Tejas’, ‘Fandango’ and ‘Deguello’ were on repeat play long, long before the 80’s peak of ‘Eliminator’. it’s probably the best cover of a Z.Z. Top song I’ve heard and that is saying something about the caliber of the band.
‘Vive La Difference’ really rocks it up as I’d hoped after that and whilst there’s a jazzy feel to the vocals it’s a Blues base they rest on. There’s almost a bookending feel as we get back to the sounds of the opening tracks. Closer ‘Step Forward’ again refocuses on that sound that we heard at the start of the record. It’s funky, airy and has a great break and seeks to end the record like we started.
Hugely enjoyable to me this is an album where I love the meat a little more than the bookends but I imagine there will be many who will feel exactly the opposite. For a record largely conceived and created in the midst of the pandemic there ‘s a striking chemistry at play here that is pretty much irresistible.
THE BAND: Chris Gibbs: Guitar / Vocals | Craig Skelton: Bass / Vocals | Elliot Jebb: Drums
Dan Skelton: Drums / Hair (recordings / live 2020 – 2021)
Josh Gallagher: Drums / More Hair (recordings / live 2021 – 2022)