The rowdy Australian duo continues to jolt Sydney and the rest of the world with its thunderous rock.
It’s becoming well known, but it’s always a pleasure to confirm: you don’t need a large crowd to generate a brilliant electric racket. Far from the dozen suggested by its name, Party Dozen – a group drawn from Sydney’s turbulent scene – fields only two members: Kirsty Tickle (vocals, saxophone) and Jonathan Boulet (drums, loops, production).
Brutal and chaotic, their music blends piercing saxophone shrieks, heavy percussive jolts, and venomous vocals. A rebellious, primitive, and inventive rock that draws from heavy blues to slip into free jazz or post-punk, and which keeps things on their toes.
Live energy perfectly translated to studio
Renowned for their explosive performances, the duo also transmits its tempestuous energy very effectively on record. Conceived in three months, their new album, 21 Bum Salute, delivers ten tracks and runs just over half an hour – that is to say, it charges straight ahead, an unrelenting blend of visceral spontaneity and fearless experimentation. Ravaging, the first four tracks burst forth like sonic missiles, notably Mad Rooter and Toss My Coin, the latter evoking the Stooges during a speed frenzy.
After the (relative) breath provided mid‑course by the airy title track with Suicide-like tones, it kicks off again with the frenetic PMFD and the corrosive Full Powers. The tempo eases a little toward the end, without losing its dynamic appeal, the instrumental Captain Honk proving to be sharply catchy.
21 Bum Salute (City Slang/PIAS). Release on November 6. Live at the Label’s Pop Up! in Paris on November 30.
