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City Newton Bombers: City Newton Bombers

A confident and turbocharged slab of Auckland city punk-rock, the sound is reminiscent of ‘80s US punk hardcore (particularly Black Flag), but with a definitive Kiwi flavour exuding pride in who they are and where they come from. Not My Lie is a strong start, but it’s not long before it’s shown up by Damascus - a driving number virtually bursting at the seams with attitude and the first of many highlights. The Bouncing Souls-esque Party Up sums up the Bombers’ approach, both musically with it’s frantic pace and lyrically: “We party up, one million miles an hour/party up like it’s still yesterday”. Rebel Dog boasts what has to be the most bizzarely catchy chorus these ears have heard in some time (“I’m a rebel! I’m a dog!”), which ties in rather fittingly to the slightly goofy nature of the instrumentation. And Into the Night is exemplary of vocalist Matt Rew’s uncanny ear for a good vocal hook; it’s clever, it’s catchy and it’s unforced. There are singalongs aplenty. All up a brilliant package and a worthy representation of what NZ punk rock is capable of. Aptly, the record rounds off with a cover of FEAR’s I Love Living in the City. And you can tell the City Newton Bombers really do.

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