Gr8 Unknowns: Found God in Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

Gr8 Unknowns

This Aussie band may have “Found God in a Tomato,” but I think I’ve found God in them. It’s true that I was first drawn to them because of the name, but their fast-paced, heavy guitar riffs and subsequent rhythms caused me to latch on.

Per their Spotify bio, the boys (Jack McEwan, Luke Parish, Danny Caddy and Luke Reynolds) reside in Perth and enjoy long nights of jamming and yelling into a mic together. Their melody-driven sound is almost riotous, their live shows inciting mosh pits and “wig-outs.”

Well, I just about fell out of my seat when I first heard “Cornflake” at my desk job this past summer. The song fades in to an intense guitar riff that’s very stop-and-go with help from the drums. In between licks, the song takes a more hazy, psychedelic turn. The vocals provide an otherworldly quality, until once again, the song fades back to the original riff. Paired with the colorful, space-like music video, you almost have to wonder, am I high?

Might as well be, because the pattern continues. “Marmalade March,” sharing a spot on High Visceral, Pt. 1 with “Cornflake,” continues to boast similar melodic intensity. I don’t think I could just march to this song, I’d have to flat out RUN.

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have mastered a balance between these hard riffs and dream-like interludes. They’ve mastered it live too, which I have the distinct honor in witnessing in person this weekend. To get a little taste, I found a live version of their track “Gurzle,” below. And might I add they have the look to go along with their sound? Hint: it’s the long hair.

For any of you near the Milwaukee area, their show takes place at the Cactus Club, March 2, with Frankie & The Witch Fingers. If moshing is your gig, this is the show for you. So, without further ado, check out some more of my faves, including, “Denmark / Van Gogh & Gone,” “Found God in a Tomato,” “Keen for Kick Ons?” and “Cubensis Lenses.”