Review Summary: They're one of the best live rock acts in the country, but what of their studio efforts? With a long awaited debut album in sight, it's time to check out this debut EP from a promising band that's going places.
Australia has been responsible for a number of commercially successful rock bands in recent times. Bands like Jet and Wolfmother have enjoyed marvelous achievement overseas, with the latter finding success at the recent Grammy awards. But the time has come to look to the future. The world is finally aware that Australia is capable of providing great international rock bands, and is now waiting patiently for what its shores will export next. While it may be a little premature to predict exactly who will be crowned the next kings of Oz rock, Melbourne outfit Bugdust would certainly be somewhere in the running.
The group originates from the suburban town of Bayswater, Victoria, and is quietly gaining recognition as one of the best live acts in the country. The studio’s where the money’s made though, and these guys have been feverishly working on a debut album with Grammy award winning producer Neil Kernon (Sex Pistols, Queen, Cannibal Corpse & Judas Priest) which goes by the suspicious name of
Welcome to the City of Snakes, and are set to unleash it on the world sometime this year. While we wait though, you’ll just have to hunt down this debut EP, which is a great hint at what to expect when the LP is finally released.
One thing that immediately sets Bugdust apart from its successful Australian counterparts, is that it’s sound is not only unforgiving, but also fresh. It’s definitely unrepentant rock just as bands like Black Sabbath and Motley Crue intended, but is never weighed down by a borderline plagiaristic sound, and rather takes more influence from current styles of rock. A little punk sets in for title track
Set to Snap, with bands like Millencolin springing to mind, while popular online number
Remote Control provides unrelenting hard rock with crunching vocals forcing their way down your spine.
Semblances of metal hit with the hardcore
Mike Tyson proving to be something of a pubby’s anthem. With a merciless riff, it cries “stand your ground” with the kind of unforgiving anger Jet would only ever dream of. The band also show their influences with an impressive cover of Motley Crue’s
Livewire, which cracks at a blistering pace. It’s hard to believe this a debut EP, as the simple yet tight production showcase exactly what this band has to offer, even though it never comes close to matching the excitement they generate in a live show, which is a characteristic they’re becoming well-known for.
With several subsequent EP’s in a matter of years, Bugdust have proven to be a hardworking band with success deservedly looming on the horizon. They may be virtual unknowns at the moment, but this sprightly rock group from suburban Melbourne are at great odds to be something bigger
very soon. Whether it be filling stadiums in America, or filling the numbers on Triple J, Bugdust are only getting bigger from here – so get on board now to claim you were always a fan.
