The Native Cats
'Cats Paw'/'Lemon Juice'
2 Track, 7inch (2009, White Denim)
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Related: Native Cats.
Hobart duo Peter Escott and Julian Teakle realise that their minimalist post punk is probably not going to be for everyone. Though not by choice it’s interesting that their first gig two years ago was on Australia Day when most of the country was tuning into triple j’s Hottest 100. Interestingly, its taken a label in Philadelphia to release this 7” single, which features two previously unreleased tracks.
With just vocals, bass, drum machine and the odd keyboard, the pair play a barebones punk with sparse arrangements that illuminate Teakle’s rumbling bass and Escott’s fidgety sing/talk/croon. Like Falkirk’s finest sons Arab Strap, The Native Cats sing about the neuroses of life and love. Neuroses that are exacerbated by living in a small city; of knowing that you know everybody else in town that plays a guitar, or that you can’t find good coffee anywhere on a Sunday afternoon.
Escott is a lyricist in the truest sense. Some would say a better lyricist than a vocalist. Mind you, the lyrics are abstract and at times cryptic, but you get the sense listening to these two songs that he could be a “writing notes while on public transport” kind of guy.
When he sings/talks, “My connections made me and betrayed me once again”, over Teakle’s throbbing dark bass line on ‘Catspaw’, it sounds like it’s emanating from a guy emerging from the shadows to confront the schoolyard bully or chat to the hottest girl at school. Laying his feelings on the line, he will most likely still get punched by the bully or spurned by the girl, but when he sings, “Pull me out of the fire/I’m near enough to burning”, it feels like he’s still a winner.
‘Lemon Juice’ again utilises Teakle’s morose hypnotic bass over a vintage Casiotone drum machine and Escott’s near out-of-tune rantings and downcast romanticism. Escott has said it’s a “cluster of grown ideas; that’s why it’s the B-side.” But B-side or not, like ‘Catspaw’, it makes for a mighty good song.
by Tim Scott
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Hurrah!
NB, the Native Cats are launching this 7'' on Saturday night at the Alley Cat in North Hobart. A gig well worth flying over for I reckon. Be there!
Let the record show i listened to this.
Great news! I'm so glad the Cats are getting some love, they are a cracking band live no question. Top tunes too. Hold a seven inch for me Teaks! In the vinyl sense.
Repressed Records will have a couple of copies of the 7'' for sale probably late next week. We've also got copies of their full length CD ''Always On'' for $16.95, you can find it in our Staff Picks section.
Let the record show i love this.
I'll be getting copies of this to Repressed, Big Star, Sunshine & Grease and Missing Link hopefully next week along with the Bad Luck Charms live album and Community compilation.
the first time i saw the native cats, at the brisbane supporting the ramps, that night there was some hilarious feud (kinda, but not) between moe grizzly and the ramps and then andrew harper kinda got into the ramps. also some thing between viva computer and some other prolific hobart guy. anyway native cats played this one song that totally took my breath away... i talked to them both about it after and they were kinda like ''yeah... the kids like that one, but...'' like maybe they seemed indifferent about its place in the set. it wasn't as dark as the other songs and had this vague 80s aus indie feel. it was so great. i dunno, i was probably drunk. when the record came out i skipped through it, scrambling to hear the tune and it didn't seem to be there. it aint ''cat's paw'', but maybe it's ''lemon juice''... but i doubt it.
dumb story, but i just really wanna hear that tune. but maybe i wouldn't recognise it if i did.
harper, mystery wrapped in a riddle (kinda, but not).
TEAKLE!
anok, this is a live video of lemon juice, so this might be it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt5XQAU2AXM
they have another two live tracks on their myspace besides catspaw, but I'm sure you've already checked those two out...
Need to buy the 7'' still, Catspaw is one of my favourite songs.
love it. i need this record. i hope they come to melbourne to launch this. their show at flip out 09 was the gig of the year.
thanks jesus ate! that aint it, but a cool tune nevertheless. highly likeable gentlemen, those two.
k-man is great too.
I like their other stuff but this sounds shit to me
'twas rad. You weren't there. Here's some photos! I'm going to bed now.
BTW, the first few pics are Drunk Elk, who are well well well worth checking out if you don't know 'em. Do it!
these guys were great the other night! sounded very sweet.