Following up their album debut Henge Beat, where Total Control married their punk and hardcore roots with fresh forays into analogue synths and primitive techno, the Australian band has delved further into the existential fog of its subject matter with this video featuring a new track ‘Sweaty’. And rather than using the monotone growl of frontman Daniel Stewart, this one has the slanted vocal of Al Montfort to keep it company as it careers through the raw noise darkness.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, TC members Mikey Young and James Vinciguerra have spliced off into a new electronic project Lace Curtain, while they and the rest of Total Control are embarking on tour of the US in May. For those unlucky enough to be located on the other side of the Atlantic, there’s a digital compilation of all their early 7-inches available on their band camp.**
For those who don’t know, Mikey Young of Australian punk band Total Control is a somewhat eminent musical figure on the DIY punk scene, centered around the fertile music community of Melbourne, Victoria. As the man behind staunchly independent, although commercially successful and critically acclaimed, elemental garage band Eddy Current Suppression Ring, his presence –along with Daniel Stewart of hardcore outfit Straightjacket Nation, plus three others –not only ensures instant cult status among their legion of fans but is a virtual guarantee of quality.
The debut album release Henge Beat comes from a sometimes-band, loosely conceived on the back of some demo-type 7” releases and a handful of live performances going as far back as 2009. Primitive electronics, an aggressive punk vibe come up against each other, while Stewart’s dry vocals thread through the potential instability of stylistic chaos.
Given such a description of the synth-punk fusion, it won’t come as a surprise that Young is not one to shy away from experimentation, full creative freedom and a liberal attitude to the working life. He quit his day job three years ago in favour of his musical pursuits, including other side-projects around Eddy Current and a burgeoning career as production guy-around-town. Young has recorded and produced for other significant bands, from minimalist duo Fabulous Diamonds to raucous power pop icons Royal Headache, while shirking the opportunity for a full-blown career and sticking to work with the people and bands he likes. Now, in preparation for Total Control’s imminent US tour with Thee Oh Sees, as well as a spot on the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas billing, at the invitation of Les Savvy Fav, Young has dropped everything, taken his savings and relocated to San Francisco for a few months, to soak up the sun and enjoy the relative solitude he so desires. That’s where we find him now, moving around the house to find a good Skype connection and contemplating his next move for band and beyond.
