For every generation that passes, there is a new breed of punk. Leeds' indie band Party Hardly are the latest mischief-makers with their new single "Rats In The Kitchen".
Lifted off their upcoming EP Modern Strife is Snobbish, "Rats In The Kitchen" captures the riotous two-chord minimalism of punk. While it veers into familiar guitar rock territory, Party Hardly bring their own sense of slacker-sweetness. In detail, the single delivers a metaphor for the way older generations demonize young people. Vocalist and guitarist Tom Barr says, “Throughout history these views have seldom changed, with the irony being that our grandparents would have viewed our parents in exactly the same light".
Likewise, the track takes its own look back to the previous eras of Brit-rock. Barr's lackadaisical verses are a nod to Mark E Smith's sermonic delivery. The band's raw guitar jangle harks to Joy Division. Their bouncing rock-beat evokes the upbeat tension of Wire's Pink Flag. However, despite their cheek and charm, the song feels conscious of its roots and punk fandom's constant critique of newness. But to hell with the naysayers, punk music at its core is flippantly fun. And Party Hardly doesn't take it all too seriously. As Barr adds, "Also, we had rats in our kitchen this one time".
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