Amyl and the Sniffers “Big Attraction” and “Giddy Up” 2018. Damaged Goods Records. A comp LP of the Australian punks first two EP’s from 2016 and 2017 (both self-released). Raucous, punchy, FUN punk in the spirit of The Ramones, Sex Pistols, mixed with a loud hard edge (they’re influenced by AC/DC, of course). We saw Amyl and the Sniffers play in July and it ranks as one of the best shows – and definitely the best punk show – we’ve seen in years. Side A has Big Attraction (2017) and my favorite track is the riotous “Balaclava Lover Boogie” which is also hilarious; I’m pretty sure the chorus goes “Balaclava with my llama, balaclava lover boogie!” but they are Australian so it is very likely I’m not hearing it quite right (back in the early 80′s I thought AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds” went like this: “dirty jeans, they’re dungarees” so clearly I’m not to be trusted). Also great are “I’m Not a Loser,” “Mole (Sniff Sniff)” and “Westgate” so basically the whole EP because there are only six songs. Side B is Giddy Up (2016) with just four tracks: “Pleasure Forever” (such a great classic 70′s punk sound), “Caltex Cowgirl” (a startling slow track that is almost melodic but not quite), “Mandalay” (super-raw) and “Stole My Pushbike” (and she’s pissed, she wants it back!). Apparently they wrote, recorded and released Giddy Up in a mere 12 hours.

The comp ended up going to #8 on the UK vinyl charts in 2018; they signed with Rough Trade soon after (I think we may have picked up this record at Rough Trade in London this past summer).