Wonk Unit are a
band not easy to pigeonhole. This is possibly because they come across as
having a higher modus operandi than merely playing catchy melodic punk music,
which admittedly they do very well. It’s just that in Alex’s lyrical content which
can switch from absurdist to heart-rending sincerity in an instant, in the
snatches of shouted poetry between songs and in the acoustic moments of
contemplation which are juxtaposed against the frenetic intensity of guitar and
rhythm assault, there is the feel of a band who have truly found a niche within
the punk rock world which no-one else has touched. They have now teamed up with
the unstoppable TNS Records to release Nervous
Racehorse, a perfect marriage of two groups who have gone channelled the
spirit of DIY to create something very much their own. This is the end result
of said marriage, a collection of musical curios which should intrigue as much
as fuel the pit at your local independent venue.
Highlights? Highlights start
from the very beginning with the acoustic guitar, Hammond organ and claps of
‘Wood Pigeon’, a mellow and haunting opening gambit before ‘Lewisham’ goes full throttle in a manner which would turn
half of the late 90s Fat Wreck roster green. After a few listens while skating
around the streets, ‘Lewisham’ is my favourite song on here so far and has
trouble staying out of my head for more than a day. ‘Nan’ shows the band’s
darker side, with a downbeat melody and a recurring yell which brings to mind
the halcyon days of Brit Pop. From here on in you’re into the genre-fluctuating
world of Wonk - anchored to punk as it is, but by a very long rope which has
clearly left room for plenty of exploration. Songs of angst, love and troubled
friends are penned with an honesty which is almost uncomfortable but is kept
from becoming so by a wry humour and a sense of optimism throughout, as well as
being lightened by moments like ‘The Trail (French Booty Song)’ which is
redolent of So Long and Thanks… era NOFX.
It’s a reminder of why we get into punk music in the first place; for the
innovation, the excitement and the sheer fucking fun which stems from listening
to it.
By Jono Coote
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