New Zealand via Melbourne’s Kings Cannons just released their self titled EP.

On first Listen of the boys and gal’s offering I am hit with a sense of all too familiar. It’s familiar if you’ve heard plenty of Roots Punk Rock, the kind that’s playing living rooms and parties; Kind of a cross between Springsteen and The Clash.  You can hear and feel the passion behind the bands intentions to get their views across, but is it enough?

There isn’t a lot variety on the 5 track EP.  ‘Time To Yourself’ is really the only difference of an otherwise uniformed listen. It’s nothing new to those who like their punk rock occasionally chill. The band attempts to transport you to the land of dreamy Jamaica but don’t quite hit the mark.

King Cannons’ passion is shown in the track ‘Take The Rock’. Shouting vocals and sing a long chorus, you may catch yourself humming along. They sing about being opposed to mining and all things relating to monster cash endeavours, but that is certainly nothing new to punk rock. It’s basically punk 101. ‘Gasoline’ is probably my favoured track of the EP. With tempo changes and really a great instrumental collaboration, I find myself enjoying this one.

They do have EMI right behind them, new management and have been touring right through March to support their release. The label’s chairman, Mark Poston, had this to say about King Cannons… “Everyone at EMI really believes in this band – we all have that magic feeling. King Cannons are not only going to be around for many years – but they are going to be a real band of the people (just like all the great bands from The Clash to The Living End). All power to them.”

I’ve got to give them props for rustling up the support of a major label, but I don’t get “that magic feeling” nor do I believe King Cannons are in the same circle and join the likes of The Clash and The Living End…yet.

Perhaps the biggest feeling I get from King Cannons is simply this; they’re an Aussie Roots Punk Rock band that sure, have the potential to be a “band of the people”, they have obvious passion, have a political voice and clearly have the talent to play their instruments well, but unless they offer something a little different to the musical table, they will only be a record labels attempt to potentially thrust a punk rock band onto our radios.

I do give kudos to EMI for getting into the nitty gritty, but this EP is not revolutionary or of the same iconic influences as the bands they are trying to pigeon hole King Cannons with, unless you are a mainstream listener, in which case this will be all new and exciting for you. Their sound, to me, is that of a vibing underground punk scene. Maybe they will be the ones to bring the Roots Punk Rock above ground, but I have my doubts.

Buy it if you like your Roots Punk Rock and want to support your Aussie punk bands. Don’t buy it if you’re a lover of Roots Punk Rock but longing for something extra, something new and something a little more evolved.

-          Suze Peak.