The Chats “Get This in Ya!” 2017/2022. Bargain Bin Records, limited edition “Hi-Vis” orange vinyl. The Australian punks’ second EP. We saw The Chats for the second time a bit over a week ago at Punk Rock Bowling and it was great – better than the first time last year at the Rave where the sound sucks and an asshole in the crowd ruined half the show for us. Though because PRB is outside we did miss out on the chance to see singer/guitarist Eamon Sandwith gob-sticking-to-ceiling skills. But guitarist Josh Hardy looked just as flummoxed as he did last time (which totally slays me).

Hardy is not on Get This in Ya! – original guitarist Josh Price is, along with the band’s original bassist (they no long have one) Tremayne McCarthy, who plays bass only on “Smoko” and spoke the line “Is it Smoko?” The Chats absolutely played “Smoko” at both shows; it’s their breakthrough hit (though it didn’t chart its literally no-budget video has like a zillion YouTube views and was certified Gold in Australia). Other great tracks include “Nambored,” the fabulously anthemic “Bus Money” and the sharply anti-fascist “Nazi March” (sometimes titled “Left Right” for obvious reasons).  The EP is way sparser and lo-fi than their later, full-length LP’s (they recorded essentially live in the studio and no overdubs were added in post-production) – it’s great youthful, working class snotty punk that is both throwback classic 70’s/80’s punk but also fresh and exciting.