Sit Down In Front – Confessions Of A Pie Thief
(Independent)
Reviewed by Doug Peters.
With this country’s recent waking up from the slumber of the recent virus induced lockdown, it has meant a return to live music events and gigs. However due to the borders still being closed to anyone but NZ citizens it has meant that the spotlight has been placed squarely on our local musicians to provide the soundtracks to our live music experiences.
While I myself haven’t yet ventured out to wash myself in live music, there is one local act in particular that I am salivating over the thought of seeing perform live again – the noisy Gisborne based punk-rock act with possibly the greatest name in the history of Kiwi punk, Sit Down In Front (while having to explain the joke instantly makes it less fun, for those that haven’t had the chance to catch these cats live the vocalist Corey Newman has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair).
Having formed in high school back in 2017, released their first album ‘Red Light Runner’ in 2018, then going on to place third in the 2019 national Smokefreerockquest competition before opening for such legendary rock acts as Jimmy Barnes, The Chats, Skinny Hobos and Head Like A Hole amongst others – their upward trajectory has been as hard and fast as their music.
Of course, now we’re in 2020 it was time for a new album – and ‘Confessions Of A Pie Thief’ was born.
The first track (and coincidentally latest single from the album, and possibly the stand out track of the album) ‘First World Problems’ kicks off like a punch to the face, a magnificent little ditty about why people shouldn’t complain all the time about the small stuff. Sit Down In Front wear their influences on their sleeves, this particular track reeking of The Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys and Bad Religion, and that’s just the first track! Elsewhere you’ll hear distinct undertones of Fidlar, early Turbonegro, The Clash and The Casualties amongst others.
That’s not to say Sit Down In Front are a carbon copy of those punk rock legends they pay homage to, you only need to listen to ‘Ghostbusters’ (a staple of their live shows – yes, the cover of that Ghostbusters theme song penned by Ray Parker Jr.) to realise these guys also aren’t afraid to take a risk doing something a bit different (and yes, the track does work. In a strange kind of way).
Other standout tracks include ‘Don’t Push The Button’ – a brilliant Anti-Trump song with a NYHC vibe (complete with gang vocals), and ‘Confessions Of A Pie Thief’ (I can’t wait to be able to shout “Who ate all the pies” right back at the band when they perform this one live). In fact, there aren’t really any low points on this album – perhaps at a little over 27 minutes long over ten tracks it possibly feels like it’s all over too quickly, although if it’s good enough for the Ramones then who am I to judge?
Overall, I’m really bloody happy this album and this band exists. When they get to hit the road again to perform these tracks live I will be there for sure, front and centre ready for a great time. As one of my Ambient Light colleagues scrupulously said in a review of one of their live performances “My hope for punk in Aotearoa has returned knowing it is in the hands of such youth”. Hear! Hear!
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