Black Devil Yard Boss

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Mammal who?

What is the fascination in Aussie rock at the moment with dead letters? We have a band called Dead Letter Circus, a band called Dead Letter Chorus and one called Dead Letter Opener. Now we have these Melbourne boys opening their debut EP with a track called One Dead Letter. Coincidence? Who knows?

Anyway, One Dead Letter is a killer opening track, in anyone’s language. It’s a little bit fuzz, a tiny bit stoner and all catchy rock. When you’ve played in everyone’s favourite ‘shoulda been huge but split up before they became world dominating rock stars’ Melbourne band Mammal, you know what you’re doing, and Black Devil Yard Boss features two members of that sadly missed ensemble. Drummer Zane Rosanoski and guitarist (who also takes the lead vocal spot for BDYB) Pete Williamson have recruited bassist Michael Davids, and set off on a musical path that’s very different to that of their previous project.

Gone is the funky edge that Mammal nailed so beautifully in the context of a powerhouse rock band. Absent also is a dominating, dynamic front-man. In their stead we get a no bullshit approach to groove based rock, influenced by Monster Magnet and Clutch. We also get tunes that, whilst very different to Mammal’s, are every bit as catchy and punchy, until we reach the convincing bluesy bluegrass jam of final track On the Run. Plus, with Zane’s confident, propulsive grooves and Pete’s distinctive riffery and lead work there’s still plenty for lamenting Mammal fans to get their teeth into.

Whether these guys can scale the dizzying heights that Mammal seemed destined for remains to be seen but this five track EP is a very promising start. Hopefully a full album isn’t too far away.

(Independent)

Added: September 27th 2010
Reviewer: Rod Whitfield
Score:
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- The Metal Forge

t was second support act Black Devil Yard Boss though who were major surprise packets on the evening. The band includes members from ex-Melbourne heavy rock favourites Mammal, and their set certainly contained much of what made that band a massive success on the live circuit. Many of their songs contained heavy breakdowns, and fans in the front row of the sold-out crowd appeared to be enjoying the sounds that the band was delivering. These guys also had an awesome light show to complement their sound, another element that is often underrated but adds so much to the overall experience of a band’s live show. Another tour with New Zealanders Shihad awaits BDYB, and it appears they are here to stay on the live circuit for a while yet anyway. - Fasterlouder

Next up was a more straightforward rock band with no synthetic sounds to be found, just raw and unabashed riffing and pounding from the Melbourne trio Black Devil Yard Boss. I noticed some blues and Ash Grunwald-esque roots influences in there during their awesome set. Frontman Pete was the full package, with good vocals, greater riffs and impressive lead chops. Musclebound drummer Zane put 110% into every hit and was joined by Shihad’s Tom Larkin for a drum duel for one song. They epitomised cool and were a worthy support for Shihad. - Fasterlouder

The last pull out of Trial Kennedy saw Black Devil Yard Boss thrust in the spotlight as the main support for the night. BDYB have an interesting bio – two thirds of the trio used to play in acoustic crooner Pete Murray’s project The Stonemasons. Hardly the sort of pedigree you’d expect to see at a sweaty and raucous pub-rock gig, but the John Frusciante and Flea style instrumental free-jam intro puts paid to any doubts. The trio is swampy blues rock, as bassist Michael Davids and drummer Zane Richardson thump out unrelenting, groove-based rhythms, leaving singer Pete Williamson to work his impressive growl (as well as knowing the ins-and-outs of his fretboard). One Dead Letter and Black Devil’s Rising are both booty-shaking highlights. - Fasterlouder