Hey you, die hard habits! Recorded by Brit Street
To many different people, the phrase post-punk might signify many different things. The issue with genre classifications is that they exacerbate issues rather than resolve them. As a song writer, all I can say is that I’m sorry for their creation.
Though I’m pleased to speak for my people, not personally,. Apologies! Die Hard Habits is post-punk, though, if you define post-punk as unrestrained creativity, angular guitars, unrelenting bass lines, and the kind of swagger and sensibility, attitude, and urgency passed down from those who battled in the trenches of the punk conflicts. And a little more after that.
They have all of these things in their new EP, Hey You!. With its expansive, reverb-drenched walls of guitars and a gorgeous, bruised, and brooding, creeping bass line reminiscent of Cure, the opening title track has it all on its own. Good. But the word Arkansas that comes next caught my attention.
Picture The George Satellites are taking their Jack Daniels meets Chuck Berry sound, throwing it down a lift shaft, then taking what was left and putting it back into form in the studio. That’s all, then!
Checkin Me Out suggests that Die Hard Habits may be on good terms with The Wildhearts, who have been scientifically shown to be the greatest band in the world, and Kennedy demonstrates that they don’t always have to put their foot down.
These kinds of songs are fantastic; they are like the eye of the storm, reminding the listener of the ingenuity and expertise that these bands possess in the engine room.
These things are sometimes obscured by the squalling storm of sound effects and noise—the sturm und drang that is applied later. Tell the Neighbors provides a delightful conclusion with yet another fresh twist.
A slice of cheerful, joyful, optimistic raucousness with ska infusion and bass drive that would have blended well in with the UK’s two-tone scene in the past.
As I mentioned on the way in, post-punk might signify different things to different people—and not in a very positive manner.
Furthermore, I believe that rather than being better understood, the term has become less defined given the breadth of tonalities addressed in this amazing EP. Oh! That’s genres for you; they consistently let you down.
