The Submariners

(Independent)

Doom and gloom … but fun

Channelling your classic kings of angst like The Cure, the Pixies and Joy Division, The Submariners deliver a rather short but intriguing EP that ticks all the boxes when it comes to producing archetypal post-punk full of heartbreak and melancholy. The title track encapsulates this best with its simplistic and stripped-back arrangement teamed up with moody, semi-spoken lyrics that might seem initially depressing but somehow still manage to convey a ray of hope within all of the inherent bleakness. On first listen this record may not seem to be anything different from their blatantly apparent influences. But what makes it interesting is not so much what is there, but what could potentially come in the future. With a little time, and a bit more expansion on the ideas shown here, The Submariners might just have a recipe for something special.

STEVE RAE - Rave Magazine

The Submariners / Lunch Tapes / Old Growth Cola PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 22 August 2011
Woodland - Sat Aug 20
A modestly-sized yet enthusiastic crowd get behind the launch of The Submariners’ EP Don’t Chase Her, as psychedelic visuals pepper Woodland’s backdrop of old landscape paintings throughout the evening. First up, Old Growth Cola combine some interesting musical elements – acoustic guitar, bass and drums as per your common-or-garden folk-rock trio, but the quintet instead get in touch with their inner Spacemen 3 through a lead guitarist who doesn’t play so much as he coaxes all manner of deep space skree from his six string, and a chap manning a table of effects pedals and other sonic manipulation gizmos. Blended with slightly Clinic-esque lead vocals, the band (formed in September of last year) frequently intrigue, though on occasion it does feel like the psych-noise elements are controlling them and not the other way around.
An amiable shirtless drummer, a lead guitarist who looks like a young Tom Verlaine, a straw-haired ‘n slight-set violinist, a roving long-haired bassist with a Three Musketeers mo’ and a Rory Gallagher look-alike frontman, Lunch Tapes certainly sound more cohesive as a unit than they look! Beefy psychedelic/garage riffs and catchy melodies provide the backbone of their immensely enjoyable set. Singer/guitarist Joel Chant has a low-key charisma as a frontman while bassist Tobias Sargent’s choice to occasionally strut through the crowd is fun and refreshingly un-self conscious.
Finally, three-piece The Submariners bring the live entertainment to a close and for this reviewer, it takes some time to come to grips with their somewhat genre-hopping, CD collection-emulating approach – doomy Joy Division rockers, almost theatrical doowop elements and straight-out indie-pop make it difficult to get a grip on the band’s identity. However, I get it more as the set progresses and an encouraging amount of pearlers are revealed. At their best when performing more slow-burning numbers, frontman Nicholas has great stage presence, like a louche, self-aware Dave Vanian with a Phil Oakey haircut and sharp suit. There’s also a visible and comfortable rapport between him and supremely confident bassist/backing singer Siena. I’m intrigued to see and hear more…
MATT THROWER
- Rave Magazine

Eccentric, post-punk, rock & roll is the calling card of Brisbane based band The Submariners. Emerging in early 2010, they wasted no time for pleasantries, instead diving face first into the local underground music scene.

After many hours locked away in the studio with talented producer, and good friend Joshua Tuck, they are now proud to announce the upcoming release of their debut EP - Don't Chase Her.

The Submariners’ have taken influence from the same grungy, hot & harsh environment that served incubator to some of Brisbane's biggest & most iconic sounds, and combined them with each member's personal taste to create a sound that is all together a truly refreshing earful.

The Submariners are: Nicholas Hew on guitar and lead vocals; Siena Hart on bass and backing vocals; and Leigh Hughes on drums. Guided by each member's widely varied musical backgrounds and inspired by an adverse reaction to the Indie Rock bands that lavish the shores of the Brisbane music scene, their resolve was to simply make music with substance and sex appeal.

With Nicholas fronting the threesome, the songs convey a strong British post-punk feel, combining his wistful lyrics with smooth, controlled vocals and raunchy, erratic guitar riffs.Siena brings her own influences to the table, with prominent bass lines and backing vocals ranging from badass riot girl to seductive 50's Rn'B songstress. Leigh's north-London upbringing shines through in his unique style of drumming which encompasses both his new-wave influences and his love of straight-up British rock.

The Submariners live set is rapidly gaining reputation as being an ever-evolving performance. Combining dark lyrical themes with have- to-move rock n' roll while still clearly having the time of their lives on stage, The Submariners live performance is one that demands attention.

When asked where he sees The Submariners' sound heading in the years to come, Nicholas replied: "We like to keep our audiences guessing. In November, after the EP launch, we are taking time out to check out the music scene in London, Paris and Berlin. We want to keep our sets always new and exciting, see if we can't bring back some fresh influences."

Don’t Chase Her showcases the band’s talent for putting together songs, which, as diverse as they are, work in harmony with one another. Comprising of just three well-endowed tracks, the EP lures you in, shows you a good time and lets you down gently.

The title track Don't Chase Her has been compared to post-punk bands of the late seventies such as Joy Division and The Cure with it's wistful vocals resonating over a driving drum and bass pulse. Seduce Me, which begins a lustful cabaret, moves seamlessly into a raunchy, guitar-screaming, garage number that grabs you by the shoulders and shakes your bones. Sucker For Love is a different beast again. Sultry, and slow burning, it reels you in, inviting the listener to become part of the narrative. In true Submariner style it includes highs and lows that keep you on edge throughout.

The official release of Don’t Chase Her - The Submariners will be at Woodland Bar, Fortitude Valley on Saturday August 20. Doors will be at 9pm Tickets available at the door only $10

Supporting will be: Lunch Tapes (Garage/Indie Rock on acid) - Touring their single release: Barefoot Daze Old Growth Cola (Experimental Pop) - Fresh from their tri-state tour.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/THESUBMARINERS
WWW.THESUBMARINERS.TUMBLR.COM - Press Record

Emerging as a self-described adverse reaction to the indie-rock movement, THE SUBMARINERS have developed their own neo-garage, punk infusion and will be releasing their debut EP, Don’t Chase Her, on Saturday. JESS SAXTON talks to the band about shows, Brisbane’s musical underbelly and the making of a record.

JESS SAXTON: Why is neo-garage such an appealing style to The Submariners?

THE SUBMARINERS: We love the energy. I guess we started out as a straight-up garage band. Over time our music has evolved and refined itself while keeping its raw edge. Perhaps imagine Iggy Pop in a suit and you might get the idea.

JS: Most of your songs revolve around the turmoils of a fickle relationship, is there a story behind this?

TS: Of course, there is a story to everything but I don’t want to give too much away. Like the great Tom Waits once said, our songs are about our lives, but they are also about the lives of every individual who listens to them.

JS: At the launch of Don’t Chase Her we can expect art and projections to accompany the music. What type of visual entertainment will be in the mix?

TS: We have some cool stuff lined up. Anyone who saw the intense show that Pulp put on at Splendour will have some fond memories of pre-show animations. We’re also expecting a psych-spectacular from film artist Lief Gifford, and the boys from Old Growth Cola.

JS: How was it working with a producer? Was it difficult selecting who you wanted to record these songs with, or was Joshua Tuck a bit of a no-brainer?

TS: We’d never worked with a producer before this, in fact it never really crossed our minds; we were approached one night after a gig by Joshua Tuck. He loved our sound and said he saw a future in the band so he wanted to be part of it. Working with Josh was fantastic. He understood our vision perfectly, capturing a brilliant sound while still allowing us room to move.

JS: You launched into the Brisbane music scene playing in various underground venues, from basements to back alleys. What drew you to the Brisbane’s ‘musical underbelly’?

TS: The idea behind the name ‘The Submariners’ is all about delving below the surface. In Brisbane, for instance, there are all of these fantastic happenings and such a supportive energy that people just don’t see. Some of the best music will be under a bridge or in a car park. Flying beneath the radar gives us more artistic freedom.

JS: Where was your most frequented venue?

TS: You’ll always find us around the traps in Brisbane but our favourite venue is actually a clearing in the forest in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. We like to throw exclusive shows: tents, generator, fishing rods, booze, that sort of deal. Aside from that, Woodland is a cool place. We look forward to doing more shows there after our EP launch this weekend.

JS: I hear you are planning a trip to Europe later in the year to check out the music scenes in Berlin, Paris and London. What are you hoping to gain from the trip?

TS: We want to immerse ourselves into the culture of the cities themselves to get a taste of what has inspired such brilliant music in the past: Joy Division, The Birthday Party, even The Beatles … in fact all the bands we love so much owe thanks to the same area of the world. There must be something in the water over there.

THE SUBMARINERS will be launching their debut EP, DON’T CHASE HER, at their Three Headed Monster event at Woodland on Saturday Aug 20. They’ll be playing alongside Lunch Tapes and Old Growth Cola. Check out www.thesubmariners.bandcamp.com for a sample. - Rave Magazine