The Lockhearts - Americana Doom Fuzz (2018)

The Lockhearts release their full length album Americana Doom Fuzz worldwide as of 13th April.

Fronted by Tim Meaco (vocals/guitar), with Jameel Majam (bass), Samuel Sheumack (guitar) and Steve “Woodie” Woodward (drums), The Lockhearts formed in Sydney’s inner west over a shared love of Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and, apparently, hot sauce. Taking up an 18 month residency at Sydney’s Brighton Up Bar they developed a bell-bottom swagger in their performances that lead them to signing with Golden Robot Records.

Between recording drums in the stairwell, blowing up vintage amplifiers and selective live tracking to capture the band’s onstage energy, they took on a “keep it loose, keep it tight” approach to write moody, guitar-driven songs for Americana Doom Fuzz. Songs that go by the following titles: ‘Leatherface’, ‘The Ocean’, ‘Call for Help’, ‘Little Eden’, ‘London Bound’, ‘If I Was Your Man’, ‘Goddamn Pretty’, ‘Ride Home’, ‘Polaroids’, ‘Spectre At The Feast’ and ‘Xanax’. Singles ‘Ride Home‘ and ‘Goddamn Pretty’ were released in Australia at the end of last year, along with videos, but have now been released in Europe.

The Lockhearts will be joining label mates The Lazys on a European tour this summer but the only date confirmed for the UK thus far is Wednesday 6th June at The Blackheart, London.

Rather more pertinent is this gem from the press pack that came with the CD: “The Lockhearts formed in Sydney’s inner west over a shared love of Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and hot sauce”.

Pretty much, that alone would be enough to prick some interest, but it only takes about 25 seconds of “Leatherface”, the album opener and longest track, to convince that you’re dealing with a special debut record. There is a classic rumble in its riff, a sense of bluesy swing – and the overriding feeling that these boys would have been more than happy to have been born in the 70s.

Even more superbly, The Lockhearts couldn’t give a toss about rules and expectations , because the summery “The Ocean”, drenched in harmonica and with more than a blue collar echo of MV faves You Am I, could be a different band.

And the fact is that if you try and pin down The Lockhearts, they’ll make you look like a mug, because they’ve got 11 songs here and 1001 ideas. That’s why “Call For Help” has a bluesy soul thing going on, while “Little Eden” has a touch of The Beatles in its chorus – or at the very least it could have been on Oasis’ third record with ease.

The point is, however steeped in rock n roll this is, it is never retro. It is far too savvy for that, and for a band on their first go round, there is a real maturity here too. “London Bound” seems to have been written from the heart, and as well as making good on the Americana part of their name is a work of real skill.