The much-hyped Sydney punks Born Lion have recently released their brand new debut album Final Words, and it’s a fantastic introduction to impressive local four piece.
Out via FOUR| FOUR/ ABC music, Final Words is a refreshing collection of no BS, straight down the line heavy rock underpinned by a distinctly scintillating Australian sound. Having cut their teeth touring nationally (they’re currently on tour with Yellowcard), the guys know how to translate their blistering live sound on record a feat not many can pull off.
In celebration of this release, the band’s guitarist/ vocalist John Bowker has penned a very insightful track by track of Final Words which you can check out below with the accompanying stream. The guys will be hitting the road throughout August, September and October to launch the LP so don’t miss ’em as they roll into your town (dates below). For tickets and more info visit the band’s Facebook page.
Break The Curse
Break the Curse was the last song we wrote for the album. It was barely complete when we entered the studio and we finished it off in pre-production. The lyrics for the song came together really quick. I just had a crappy demo of it playing in the car and would sing stuff over the top whilst driving around. Lyrically it is written as if it’s the last song we will ever write. Hopefully that’s not the case, but there’s always a high likely hood in this business. Lots of vocals on here from Lachlan and Dean from incredible Sydney band Gay Paris.
Good Dogs Play Dead
Good Dogs Play Dead went under the working title ‘Smith Street’ for a while as the original chord progression for it reminded me a lot of ‘The Smith Street band’. I wrote the lyrics for this song before I wrote the music, which is about the only time that has happened. I always refer to this song as my baby. Not sure why, I think I’m just really proud of it. The chorus was played in half time right up until when we went into the studio.
Sucker For Punishment
This song came together nice and quick. Right from the start it felt like a song that needed to be really short with zero fucking around. The lyrics are about a guy who just gets off on being rejected by women.
Suzie
We wrote the skeleton to Suzie whilst on tour in Brisbane. Our idea was to write a song in one rehearsal and then play it that night at Rics bar. We didn’t manage to make that happen but it was a good motivator. The song took a long time to finish. The verses and chorus’s came together really quickly but we agonized a bit over how it would end. It got to a point where we almost ditched it entirely. It was at that point we figured out the ending it has now and went with it.
Danger
D for Danger felt like it was written a long time ago. Just a pretty straight forwards punk rock song that was pretty easy to write. Lyrically it’s just about the need to just get out of the routine every now and then. Sometimes it can feel like everything is too safe and predictable. I think the music projected a sense of urgency and loss of control, which influenced the words.
Violent Soul
Violent Soul is one of the oldest tracks on the album. Has been through several transformations. Lyrically I think it’s one of my better efforts. It was evident when we pre produced it that the song was all over the place. There were several key changes and time signature changes, which made the whole thing pretty confusing musically. We were ultimately not going to bother recording it. However I thought the lyrics would be nice to have on the album. I changed the key of the song and changed some chords around so make it a whole lot simpler. We recorded it on my old acoustic guitar that hadn’t had a string change in about two years.
Rest In Pieces
This tune came together quite quickly. I wrote the main verse riff and then we filled in the blanks. We got Jesse Coulter from fuck off awesome Adelaide band Grenadiers to share vocal duties. I just thought his voice would be perfect on the track, and it was. Jesse put down the vocal in less than an hour and nailed it pretty much first go.
Good Times Jimmy
Wrote most of this whilst out guitar lord Red was off on international adventures. Written about a (fictional) dude named Jimmy. Jimmy had a rough time of it growing up. He decided to move to the city and become a party/drug lord. He was a great guy that went a little too hard in end. Long live old mate Jimmy!
None Of The Above
One of the last tunes written for the record. Fairly no frills rock song. The lyrics are about natural selection and the idea that you can’t avoid your fate. I tried to make the vocal melody less succinct and structured in the verses.
Too Cool To Party
Written about people who are overly concerned with keeping up appearances to have fun. There is a poor mans Metallica riff at the end of the song, which makes me happy. There are some extra vocals during the chorus courtesy of Dean from Gay Paris.
Weight Of The World
One of the oldest tunes on the record. This was a bit of a long lost riff that we uncovered when fossicking through all the rehearsal demos. We relearnt the riff then turned it into what it is now. We put in a super extended intro on it for the record. Some would say that’s heaps wankerish and self indulgent, but like what evs bro.
‘Final Words’ Tour Dates
Fri Aug 21 – The Workers Club, Geelong
Sat Aug 22 – The Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne (Tix here)
Sat Aug 29 – Phoenix Bar, Canberra
Fri Sept 4 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney (Tix here)
Sat Sept 5 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Sat Sept 12 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane (Tix here)
Fri Sept 18 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart (Tix here)
Sat Sept 19 – Club 54, Launceston (Tix here)
Thurs Sept 24 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
Fri Sept 25 – Jimmy’s Den, Perth
Fri Oct 2 – The Entrance Leagues Club, The Entrance
Sat Oct 3 – Captain’s At Mariners, Bateman’s Bay (Tix here)
Fri Oct 9 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
Fri Oct 16 – The Loft, Warrnambool
Sat Oct 17 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide (Tix here)
