About Me
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Back in 1996, three Japanese in Perth decided to form a band. It seemed like a good way to make buddies, make a noise, and see around the country.
Over 750 of gigs later, they're still going strong. And they've probably seen more of this country than many of locals.
MACH PELICAN FLY HIGH WITH NEW ALBUM
Stories by fasterlouder.com
K-Rock, Atsu C-Roll and Toshi 8 Beat, better known as Mach Pelican,
moved to Perth in 1996 to learn English. They’re now one of the most renowned
pop-punk outfits in Australia, whose third full-length album is sure to turn more than a few heads.While “hardest working band†is bandied carelessly around these days,
if your measure was live performances, then few would be able to get
over Mach Pelican – serving up more than 700 shows in 8 years to the
grateful public and their legion of loyal fans.
That figure is soon to be greater, as well, as the Melbourne via Japan trio winds
its way through the country to promote the release of their third record,
Radio Action – fittingly winding up at Brisbane’s Ramone A-Thon on November12th.
When I spoke to self-confessed “music-freakâ€; Mach Pelican drummer Toshi 8 Beat,
it becomes clear that the band were becoming tired of playing the same songs live.
Currently on the road armed with a swag of new material sure to whip audiences into a frenzy he prefigures: “People will get to hear the new songs, the one’s never
before played at live showsâ€. Rural and regional punters aren’t forgotten either,
as the tour takes in Wollongong, Newcastle, Ballarat, and Warrnambool.
“Sometimes the regional shows are crazyâ€, says Toshi, “and it’s nice to play to
new crowds, they’re more excited....it’s pure enjoymentâ€.
Recorded at Melbourne’s Sing-Sing studios and produced by Matt Maddock
(The Hovercrafts, The Casanovas, Bodyjar, Something for Kate, the list goes on),
Radio Action is a far tighter and more accomplished release on the part of the band,
obviously gaining musically as a result of the constant touring.
While Toshi claims that the record was made in super-quick time,
the Byzantine arrangements and watertight playing set the record apart from
their previous work, while retaining its punk sensibilities.
Toshi also agrees that their most recent release is more accessible:
“We’re getting played on Triple J, and Triple R has it on high rotation...
I think the better recording quality makes the album more radio-friendlyâ€
– something that is sure to work in their favour in terms of garnering attention
from new audiences.
In spite of indie label offers to release the new album, Radio Action is the
debut release for Toshi’s own label Bop! Records,
which he described as “a dream come true†in terms of the band
exercising creative control over the release.
While a total of 16 tracks were recorded, only 12 made it on to the record:
“we wanted to keep it tight†says Toshi – so tight, in fact, that ‘King of Surf’,
featuring the vocals of Joe King from The Queers didn’t make the track listing.
That said, there is no shortage of guest vocalists on Radio Action,
including The Spazzys (Love is Strange) and Roman Tucker of Rocket Science
on Not the Same. There aren’t any dull moments on the record, and highlights are many,
including a cover of the infectious 60s classic She’s a Mod, by Ray Columbus & the Invaders.
If you’re already a Mach Pelican devotee, Radio Action is sure to surprise and delight. If not, keep
your ears peeled.
Radio Action is out now on Bop! Records through Stomp.
Mach Pelican have toured with the following bands: Buzzcocks, The Queers, Radio Birdman, Chixdiggit!, GroovieGhoulies, Smugglers, Dwarves, Zeke, Lunachicks, Guitar Wolf, the Donnas, Supersnazz, Gimmies, 50 kaitenz, 5678s,Bunnies, Electric eel shock and much more.
