On
a conference call circa August 2011 to promote Audioscam’s second release “When
The Money’s Gone” I was introduced to Brian Pitcher.
The
initial question I had was did he make a concerted effort to author songs that
would somehow accomplish the nearly unworkable?
That is the fulfillment of pleasing three vastly different record
buyers, the passionate British Invasion and straight-ahead rocker (especially
1964-Mid 1970’s), the rebellious New Wave, Power Pop, and Punk fan of the 70’s
and early 80’s, and the exponent of the Indie-Rock scene from 2000 to the
present.
Brian’s
response cemented how potent he was as a songwriter and Audioscam as a band. Brian told me “As long as I have been writing
songs I have never attempted a pre-fabricated approach. I let things take a natural course.”
With
the fans of the aforementioned styles of sound as divided as the current United
States political parties, it gave me an even more reinforced view of Audioscam.
After
over four years we finally have the follow-up to 2014’s “Audioscam 3.” This time around the Australian powerhouse
serves up the six tracks “Kicking And Screaming.” It is one thing to commandeer a room but
another to sequester the listener. From
the first note we are secluded. There is
no outside interference, the only duty is to interpret the stellar recorded
works and all else becomes secondary.
The
opening number “Just Like Jamaica” serves a dual-meaning. Brian penned the tune first as homage to the
1988 Jamaican Bobsled team that gained world-wide attention and everlasting
respect at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada.
Brian’s
additional (but in no way taking a back-seat) message is to never let others
foil your dreams and prevent your life from taking its own unique shape. Comingling the mellow sounds of Jimmy Buffet
with a dose of Rock “N’ Roll” the latest project is not only off and running
but catapulting forward.
Track
2 “Baby Done Bad” is Brian’s story of meeting his wife Julie. We the listener are thrown into the reverse
time machine and land in the year 1972.
On the radio is the rock and boogie sound of Humble Pie’s “30 Days In
The Hole.” Audioscam has unearthed the
Humble Pie sound and brought it forward.
Next
up is “Get Used To This.” After getting
married Brian found himself in a place he couldn’t believe existed. There was contentment and stability. Although in the back of his mind there was
skepticism that the dream would be shattered, Brian and Julie remain an
unbreakable team. The Talking Heads,
Television, and Joe Jackson resonate in your mind as Audioscam sends a message
of hope.
The
fourth song “Batesfield” brings Brian back to yesteryear. Written by his friend from High School, Mark
Gable. A bank robbery and a country mile
removed from the crime is the thematic scene.
ACDC and Alice Cooper are prevalent in the musical beat.
Onward
to “Hand Of Sin.” Open to your own
interpretation. To quote Brian “There is
an evil vibe to it.” Talking Heads and
Graham Parker come to mind in terms of the musical spectrum.
As
a bonus the CD ends with a gem. A live
version of “When The Money’s Gone” the title track from the 2011 release.
Here
are the players:
Brian
Pitcher- Vocals, drums, acoustic guitar
Brad
Wallace- Bass, backing vocals, guitar, and keyboards
Wayne
Macintosh- Guitar
Additional
Personnel:
Tenor
Mel Miller- Steel drums and pans on Just Like Jamaica
Jason
Byrne- Guitar on Batesfield and When The Money’s All Gone
Ross
Wedding- Guitar on When The Money’s All Gone
Miss
Ari Safari- Backing vocals on When The Money’s All Gone
Audioscam’s gift to us for an eternal summer.
After being engulfed in the new release you can
purchase the following as well:
Abbattack August 12, 2008
When
The Money’s Gone August 18, 2011
Audioscam
3 May 6, 2014
All
the best,
Craig
Fenton
Author:
Jefferson Airplane “Take Me To A Circus Tent”
Jefferson
Starship “Have You Seen The Stars Tonite”
