Fangs are a band that you will either love or hate depending on your approach; if you go in expecting some manic, double-kick filled punk extremity, you’ll likely be left a little cold. However, if it’s some stoner rock you’re after, they may be just what the doctor ordered.
“Monsters” is a steady three-minute march built entirely around a simple, fist-pumping (perhaps dreadlock-swirling would be the more appropriate imagery) chorus.
Guitars are satisfyingly fuzzy, recalling 90s grunge legends like Soundgarden, and you could count the number of chords on one hand, which is exactly as it should be. The song’s structure doesn’t take any daring steps beyond the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus formula, but then again, stoner rock (and indeed, punk) isn’t known for its challenging arrangements.
Recorded at Birdland Studios in Melbourne, the vocals during the verses could be higher in the mix to compensate for a rhythm section that somewhat plods along, but just in case you start feel your attention beginning to wane, the double-tracking in the chorus will jolt you awake; “I can’t escape the monsters” is one of those rock lyrics that you will feel you’ve had swimming through your head for years – in a good way.
The band have garnered a solid reputation around Melbourne, having supported hard rockers Them Crooked Vultures and Aussie institutions such as Trial Kennedy and Gyroscope.
Incidentally, the B-side to the “Monsters” single, “Government Paycheck,” is a much more up-tempo tune, recalling in equal parts Nirvana and “everybody, all together now!” pop-rockers The Subways. Fangs have a knack for hooks, that much is clear, I just wish their lead single was a little more exciting.
– Darren Gubbins
