Album Review: Grindhouse – Can I Drive Your Commodore?

Grindhouse – Can I Drive Your Commodore?
(Off The Hip Records)

Reviewed by Sarah Kidd.

Middle-aged punk rockers Grindhouse who embrace their aussie heritage like a badge of honour are back with their third album that will make you want to break stuff.

From the cover itself which features the iconic Australian chef Peter Russell-Clarke half naked and giving the finger to the musical content that tells stories of many of the objects and people that influenced vocalist/guitarist Mick ‘2 Fingers’ Simpson growing up in the 80’s; Can I Drive Your Commodore is like a time capsule containing the DNA of the Grindhouse members themselves.

Snapping your neck with some rock n’ roll whiplash, first track off the album entitled ‘Peter Brock Built My Hotrod’ drags you straight into the mosh pit while the drumming of Liam ‘Sticky Wicket’ Cuffley hammers out the rhythm that your boots should be stomping along to.

Moving straight into ‘Shit Cocaine’ and one can’t help but think it is the nastier, grittier lovechild of Arctic Monkeys and fellow Melbourne based band The Peep Tempel with its tongue wedged firmly in its cheek. A lovechild that would be hanging around the local bar at the back end of Tuerong turning it’s nose up at the not-quite-up-to-scratch-mate powder being proffered by the out of towner sleaze in the suit.

While Simpson himself has stated that compared to their last album Crazy Pussy, Grindhouse have certainly put more thought into both the music and the lyrical content of their latest album, don’t get too analytical in trying to decipher some hidden message. The lyrics are straight up and laced with slang picked up in nineties aussie suburbia; they are both hilarious and informative about what it is that – mostly – drives the Grindhouse ‘four sexually misguided’ members on their quest.

While the album is a down and out celebration of filthy garage rock there are some nice little punk infused tracks lying in wait ready to pounce and smack you in the mouth; ‘Willis Jackson’ whose entire lyrical content consists of just six words is fast paced with a tasty little stoner metal breakdown in the middle, just so you can catch your breath before kicking off again. Nods to icons such as the aforementioned Peter Russell-Clarke come in the form of the downright brilliant ‘Where’s The Fucking Cheese’ which is almost a sequel to their 2016 track ‘Peter Russell Clarke’ off the Crazy Pussy album and is definitely one for those that remember the iconic TV ad for the brand of cheese with the rather unfortunate name; while the track ‘Eric Estrada’ about the television and years later real life cop who … well “does it fucking harder” features some mighty fine rhyming skills. Yup, Grindhouse not only look good in budgie smugglers, but they can rhyme too.

Guitar licks from Ricky ‘Pony Club’ Audsley and throbbing gristle bass from Adrian ‘The Father’ Cummins round out the sound for Grindhouse, while the record itself was recorded and produced by Steven McDonald (The Melvins, Redd Kross and Off!), the album obtaining its overall party buzz effect thanks to being recorded in front of a live television audience.

As the title track says, ‘Righto dickheads, start your engines’. So, chuck on some stubbies, fire up the bbq, grab a bottle of your favourite brew and wrap your lugholes round it.

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