Melbourne’s Reptiles come by their shit-kicking reputation the old-fashioned way – they earned it. Reptiles have logged many hard-fought miles on the road in their native Australia; their relentlessly intense live show has placed Reptiles near the top of the country’s rock n’ roll elite. Reptiles can booze n’ brawl with the best of them, but it’s their songs that give ‘em an edge on the competition. “Bughouse” comes off like the heir to The Scientists’ blood-stained legacy, menacing swamp vibes eclipsed only by the band’s ability to control their frenzy, to focus it for maximum effect.
Reptiles’ intensity does not forsake the hook, in fact the hooks sink deep, balancing the fury with a tunefulness learned from ‘90s alternative rock. After releasing last year’s full-length, Ciao-a-Bunga!, Reptiles return to the CMJ Festival after a narrow brush with Hurricane Sandy last year. In the interim, the band has been working hard on new material, showcasing a move towards a more refined, though no less boisterous, sound. Shades of Beasts of Bourbon and Gun Club come galloping through these odes to love and lust.
Don’t miss Reptiles in NYC next week!
TUES 10/15 @ Passenger Bar
w/ 2:Frail + Meet The Patients
set: 11 PM
WED 10/16 Drunken Piano Showcase @ Don Pedro’s
w/ Degreaser + Lurve, etc
set: 9 PM
FRI 10/18 @ Fat Baby
set: 9 PM
SAT 10/19 Aussie BBQ @ The Delancey
set: 12:50 AM