Jack Flash - Self-Titled (Album)
Jack Flash is folk punk six-piece hailing from Toowoomba, Queensland. After a few singles and EP’s they have just released their self titled debut album. Their sound is slightly celtic and their cited influences of The Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues and Flogging Molly are certainly evident. There are instruments on show that you probably don’t hear too often even when putting your computer’s music library on shuffle for days. Along with the usual rock band suspects of electric, acoustic and bass guitars and drums you’ll hear mandolins, fiddles, banjo, tin whistle, harmonicas and even a lagerphone.
The sound is really unlike anything currently around the Australian music scene. Their music feels like a history lesson with a celtic punk rock flavour. To explain what I mean by history lesson, the titles, content, lyrics and feel of all songs are about Australia’s working class, harsh and life on the land beginnings. Unsurprisingly you’ll hear the words: fight, Eureka, rebel, revenge, reclaim, thievery, shearer’s, and convict more than a few times.
This type of music is definitely not for everyone, I should mention that up front. Some people will be immediately turned off by an anachronistic concept album written by young Australian’s who cannot honestly relate to the tales they are singing about. While that is true, they are story tellers, and people like this are a vital cog in keeping the story of early Australian settlement alive heading forward. Plays, brochures, museums and re-enactments with similar themes are found all around outback Australia, but a band can reach people who would never normally hear these types of songs, and therefore spread the stories they cover on this album.
I initially thought I was in the portion of people initially put off by just the thought of an Australian bush punk rock band. I kind of forced myself to listen to the album if I’m honest. On the first spin it wasn’t as bad as I expected yet I didn’t really enjoy it. As quickly as the second full listen I started to enjoy the disc. I was amazed how the band manage to combine rich heritage and tales of yesteryear with classic punk conventions. For the most part the record is fast paced, meaning you’re not completely aware of the strange instruments used, but you sort of notice something different to what you are used to as well. Making for a refreshing listen.
Some of the track names should give you an idea of the themes explored on the album, ‘Rebel’s Revenge’, ‘Battle of Eureka’, ‘Reclaim’, ‘Augathella Station’, ‘Shearer’s Strike’ and ‘A Convict’s Tale’. Before listening to this album, which would be over ten times thus far, the thought of voluntarily listening to a song about a nineteenth century shearer strike and enjoying it was near impossible.
Jack Flash manage to create an album of ten songs full of rich history with a contemporary punk rock feel that will take you on a historical journey whilst also being some of the freshest music you’ve heard in a while. As stated, some people will not like the style, others will love its bold and non-commercial attitude and for some (myself included) it will take a few listens to uncover what is essentially a very good and different album.
