Echoing the sounds of dark rock and roll acts before them, The Demon Parade add a Melbourne pub rock swing to their evident Brian Jonestown influence. The band’s newest EP Chameleon reins in some of the denser and more esoteric elements of previous releases and injects a carnival-esque atmosphere.
Opening with the off-centre ‘Lovers Again’, The Demon Parade show off their wide catalogue of sound with a dark groove fuelled by enchanting reverbed riffs.
Their overall library of sound progresses from track to track with a spacious echo leading you through to each separate acoustic intro, which in terms of introductions, is almost always encouraged and repeated without tiring the audience (and quite frankly… lets you understand the rhythm before the drums drop).
Although growing with seemingly revivalist roots, the band maintain a steady original soundscape that comes across consistently smooth. ‘She’s Gonna Be A Star’ comes across as a Small Faces b-side while introducing a spaced out vibe that glues the whole dance-able rock and roll number together.
Sprinkled with eastern motifs and hints of sitar, there’s a playful touch in the pop-sensibilities of tracks such as ‘Fake Can Do’ that tie the EP together and show a consistency and range that prove the band’s competence.
Chameleon retains the band’s trademark psychedelic swirl and sees them opening up and taking cues from the likes of Spiritualized and The Dandy Warhols.
The lyrical content throughout seemingly doesn’t emphasize a large amount of detailed personal experience, yet does poetically touch on issues within relationships quite well. While playing music of a usually experimental genre, The Demon Parade maintain a revivalist influence that keeps things interesting.
