Leeds three-piece Pushbike Army's current promo delivers good honest punk rock,
served with a healthy dose of youthful aggression.
Starting with indie/punk number Four From Alexandra Grove, there's a noticeable
likeness to Hounds of Love by The Futureheads. With similar chord progressions
and an almost identical backing vocal towards the end, it makes you wonder whether it's
simply coincidence, or a bit of a half-inch? All this aside, it's a great song discussing
real issues and shows the world that you don't have to play out of tune guitars with a
safety pin through your nostril to be pure.
The second track Farewell To My Fascist Friend is a more traditional take on the
much-explored genre of punk. With thrashy guitars, angry vocals and a looser song structure
they seem to be paying homage to their roots. With a length of 4.47 minutes, and not a great
deal of variation, this tune would definitely improve for being a tad shorter.
The final song is a beautifully executed piano version of Four From Alexandra Grove.
With no vocals, bass or drums, you hardcore punks might now be thinking what sounded like
a promising band have just lost all respect? Think about it though, punk is all about smashing
the boundaries, and ... a classical symphony to cap the promo off, in my opinion, is one of
the most innovative punk ideas ever!
These guys are clever, rebellious on their own terms, and more punk than most the leather
studded wannabes out there!