Today we bid a fond farewell to Private Function (https://www.facebook.com/privatefunctionmelbourne). Regulars to both the blog and the show, the Melbourne band have called it a day after 10 glorious years. They're going out whilst they're still on top.
I believe it's the only song they've released on 45rpm.
I think it's fair to say they've gone out with a bang.
Billy Ouka returns today to sing the praises of one of the best albums of the year. It's the latest offering from Melbourne's Private Function (https://www.facebook.com/privatefunctionmelbourne/), their first album released through their new label deal with Damaged / Caroline Australia.
It's not only Billy who's impressed, the band have been snowed under with gushing praise from critics worldwide including major players such as Rolling Stone, NME & Hysteria Magazine. It's also managed to top the vinyl charts so you've probably already heard it but just in case, here's Billy...
It can be difficult sometimes to keep up with the amount of exciting new bands coming out of Australia, but Private Function should be top of the list. A perfect blend of highly catchy tunes, delivered at a breakneck speed, combining humour in the lyrics, to highlight the serious issues directly affecting them. So after a number of cracking releases the new album was highly anticipated. Whose Line Is It Anyway does not disappoint, 13 blistering tracks, each one as good as the next, from the first track, "I don't Want To make Out With You" to the final "Grabbing My Butt" it's a rock n roll classic. "Evie pt 4" a collaboration with Jade, vocalist from DickLord, mixing it up before the final barrage to the end, as it should be. Private Function would be the biggest band on the planet if there was any justice, an album that everyone needs to hear. You can get it on black or white vinyl, cassette & cd here :https://artistfirst.com.au/collections/private-function
To give you an idea of how powerful the band are, can I recommend you check out this live video for the album's opening track, I don't wanna make out with you :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGjcBm4EhYY
As for my favourite song, it keeps changing. Yesterday I was going to select Give War A Chance, tomorrow I'll no doubt be wishing I'd opted for something else but right now, I'm going with Irresponsible Dog Owner (I'm An)...
On occasion I've been known to rave on about songs and bands that I like. There's also times when friends will alert me to a particular song that's floating their boat. Last week, Baldy (Sydney born and now living in Perth) enthused to me about a band from his native land called Private Function. I told him I'd played their latest single on a recent show and indeed they were really good. Then I asked him to review the single for me, which he's done. To make things even more topical, they've just released their debut album, it's called St. Anger and the single is on it so everything ties together nicely. The album's available on lp and cassette from Disdain Records https://disdainrecords.bigcartel.com/products and you can also find it on Bandcamp https://privatefunction.bandcamp.com/album/st-anger
Private Function are one of the new generation of Aussie garage - rock n roll/retro 70's punk rock inspired bands to come out of Melbourne, Australia. Kind of in the same league as their rockin' Melbourne counter parts - Amyl and the Sniffers. Melbourne is undoubtedly the sub cultural music hub and cultural hub of modern Australia, some might argue it always has been (it's humorously referred to as the 'Paris of the south' by some). Overtaking Sydney in most things I would say. I Haven't been able to pin down their exact influences but I would say they are influenced by everything from Midnight Oil (check out a good cover of King Of The Mountain) to Cosmic Psycho's, Antiseen, The Bronx, Radio Birdman and the Celibate Rifles maybe?? I def hear some of those bands' influences, but don't quote me, could be intentional or unintentional.
Amongst their releases so far are debut cassette Six Smokin' Songs, Rock In Roll and debut album St Anger. They definitely have a bit of a sarcastic tongue in cheek, sick twisted sense of humour about them. Not at all uncommon for Melbourne boys and musos. If you look at their EP/LP covers, especially Six smoking songs , you will see what I am on about.
For me their stand out songs, or well ones I like best so far are 'Duct tape' and 'Talking to myself'. Strong rock n roll belters, anthemic almost.
If you love your Aussie style garage rock n roll. Meat and potato's hard rockin' punk, then I would say these fella's are definitely for you. As our dear old Molly Meldrum would say "Do yaself a favour and give em a listen cobber." -
