Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last twenty years you would have heard of THE HARD-ONS: yes, the Hard-ons, that legendary multi-racial punk band that lay waste to all and sundry before them with their “Motorhead meets Beach Boys” death-pop sonic assault, and that continues to this day, to leave foot prints on the top of your skull with their violent yet well-meaning aural attack. Well the two arrogant yet unassuming pillars of that said band, Blackie and Ray have another band at their disposal- NUNCHUKKA SUPERFLY. Now this is a band that has Mike Patton, Jello Biafra, The Melvins and members of Helmet and AMEN as card carrying members of their fan club. In fact their second CD “There are no accidents…just fuckwits” was described by one John Stanier (The Mark of Cain, Helmet, Tomahawk) as “The greatest album ever- period”.
What do they sound like? Hoo-boy. Let me describe what they do not sound like: everything else! Thats right- this is a band that is ideologically and musically far left of the centre when compared to what else is out there. Try these for influences: Dub. Experimental. Free-jazz. Noise. Metal. Psychedelia. Punk. And usually thats just in one song! This is a band described by one famous scribe (Murray Engelheart) thusly: Nunchukka Superfly is from the sort of sonic place The Stooges were heading towards on the Funhouse album before bathroom floors and clinical psych assessments got in the way. It’s where Can and Ash Ra Tempel meet at some sort of cosmic equivalent of the crossroads where Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul. It’s where Sun Ra would be if the Arkestra’s noise was routed in strings, sweat and electricity as opposed to reeds and windpipes. Its where former Black Flag guitarist, Greg Ginn pulled out his most out of left field fret moves. All with the really twisted pop – and yeah, it might be a stretch to use that term as a reference point here – of Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd with all relevant Interstellar Overdriveisms in full frontal view. Oh yeah, its as evil as hell.
Phew! Do they deserve all this hyperbole?! You bet! For a start, this writer has never felt so much crackling electricity in the air as when Nunchukka Superfly are in the roomand thats just during sound-check! Ever heard a band that makes Merzbow sound quiet in comparison? Youve never heard such power and pure noise-ambition come from three people on stage. Quite frankly, they are frightening. …………… When one witnesses their live shows, one feels one’s own hair being swept back: one feels one’s trousers flapping from the electricity and power: one feels finally, a sense of distortion, volume and avant-hybrid never presented in such outstanding and commanding terms. And yet the toes keep tapping! Brilliant songs with twisted hooks from God-knows-what. At least you’ll die with a smile on your face.
"Nunchukka Superfly is not exactly a household name by any stretch of the imagination. But that is all about to hopefully change. Prepare thyself for the aural adventure that is Open Your Eyes To Smoke.
Whereas the Hard-Ons peddled their fine brand of driving punk-metal-pop hybrid, Nunchukka Superfly is an altogether a more psychedelic and, may I say, cryptic musical journey. Encompassing the best elements of experimental rock, psychedelia, jazz, avant-garde, new-wave and pure pop, a trippy meander into musical wonderland has never been so ironically concise and fun and so texturally varied.
Armed to the teeth with assured and brilliant musicianship, Nunchukka Superfly boasts Julien Crendal, a drumming prodigy barely out of his teens, Bristling with sheer innate talent as well as a fine attention to drumming detail, Julien makes a welcome replacement to departed Joel Ellis, who, controversially was asked to leave Nunchukka Superfly when he refused to refer to himself in anything other than third person.
Fittingly, Nunchukka Superfly turned to fabled producer Chris Townend (Portishead, Silverchair, Hard-Ons) to polish off these nuggets, renewing a relationship that stretches back further than twenty years with Blackie and Ray. Chris was the first mixer Nunchukka Superfly employed when they rose from the ashes of the Hard-Ons back in 1994.
Brace yourself for a fantastically explosive yet melodic psychedelic side-trip that is Nunchukka Superfly's Open Your Eyes To Smoke. Available on CD for those who like to spend a lot of time in the car or LP for those who like things flat and wide."
Stephen Ahn (The bassplayer's brother)
Open Your Eyes To Smoke released January 24, 2014 on Citadel Records
- Peter Black - Guitar/Vocals
- Ray Ahn - Bass
- Joel Ellis - Drums
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Nunchukka Superfly is a weird ass freaky punk band from Sydney. It was formed by Peter Black and Ray Ahn from Hard-Ons with Joel Ellis.