Heavy Song of the Week is a feature on Heavy Consequence breaking down the top metal, punk, and hard rock tracks you need to hear every Friday. This week, No. 1 goes to Frankie and the Witch Fingers for their new single “Bonehead.”
Frankie and the Witch Fingers emerged during the garage rock renaissance of the 2010s and have outlived many of their contemporaries from what now feels like a bygone era. It’s a testament to keeping it real, practicing the timeless act of playing instruments and recording what happens. Capturing the moment.
That’s exactly how the band’s latest garage psych nugget “Bonehead” came about: recorded mostly in one take, “warts and all.” The Cramps-y riffs are sped up and played with grit, and the vocals waver naturally around the melody as if they’re sung by someone backed by the loose energy of a raucous rock n’ roll band.
“In a world where it’s easy to add more, we had a blast cooking out the junk and keeping it potent and pure,” said the band of the track.
Well put. It makes the song pop out of the speakers in stark contrast to many overcooked tracks made by layering overdubs to a click track (for example). Many would argue that a punky garage rocker like “Bonehead” simply couldn’t be made under such circumstances. It’s gotta be captured live.
Honorable Mentions:
Amyl and the Sniffers – “Big Dreams”
This one took us by surprise. Notoriously sardonic Aussie punks Amyl and the Sniffers eschew the humor on their latest single “Big Dreams,” a poignant track about living out your dreams and aspirations in spite of financial limitations and poverty. It’s a straight-up ballad, handedly tactfully by the band as they build up to a triumphant crescendo, mirroring Taylor’s lyrical message.
Better Lovers – “At All Times”
Better Lovers try on a power ballad with “At All Times,” which is certainly the biggest genre pivot we’ve heard out of their recent singles. Greg Puciato trades the harsh vocals for lovely cooing melodies, evoking Deftones during the quiet opening verses. The surging chorus hits like a wave as Puciato belts out his words like a classic rock frontman. He steals the show here, and this track is one of the best examples of his impressive range and multi-faceted singing abilities.
Venamoris – “In the Shadows”
Dave Lombardo is a man of many projects — I think we can safely call him a studio rat at this point — and thankfully he has a proper record label to support his prolific activity. One of his more personal acts, Venamoris, sees him in collaboration with his wife Paula, and the duo just signed to Ipecac Recordings — home of other Lombardo-associated bands such as Mr. Bungle and Dead Cross. Their debut single showcases Venamoris’ post-metal sound, as Dave’s marching drum beat mingles with synths, layers of guitars, and Paula’s sultry vocals.