“If I gave one shit about the radio, I’d be playing indie pop in Melbourne,” sings THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND vocalist-guitarist Cal Kramer in “Bad Luck Baby, Bye Bye”. An infectious, AC/DC-meets-Stones styled boogie from the West Australian quartet’s stonking new album, ”Easier Said Than Done”, in one line it tells you everything you need to know about Kramer, his band, and their laser-focused dedication to rock’n’roll.
”Trying to do a rock’n’roll band in Perth in the 21st century is not exactly the coolest thing in the world,” smiles Kramer. “Some people have told us you should change this or do that, but we’re just going to keep doing our own thing.” It’s an attitude that’s been winning over fans across the globe, from those who flocked to the group’s recent run of UK and European dates to The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins, who proclaimed the four-piece “a proper fucking rock band” after hearing their 2023 single, “Stan Qualen”.
Recorded in Byron Bay with Grammy-winner Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen), ”Easier Said Than Done” packs 12 tracks of old school, pure hearted, authentic rock ‘n’ roll, with some ’70s hard rock and even glam into the mix. And they rock greatly.
These Perth boys captured the essence of Aussie pub rock alongside classic American rock from the ‘70s, 80s, ‘90s and beyond. They wear their influences on their sleeves and ”Easier Said Than Done” is enough to make any fan of pure unadulterated rock shut up and listen.
Kicking off ‘Easier Said Than Done’, you only have to delve into the first 30 seconds of Don’t Take It To Heart and you’ll know what to expect. A dozen songs with smash hit ingredients, catchy choruses, earworm hooks, classic rock vocals, vintage riffs and brilliant guitar solos.
On Something’s Gotta Give the pace of the track is driving through with relentless guitars. Songs like the awesome It’s What It’s, Bad Luck Baby, Bye, Bye and Do You Miss Me? makes you think back to Free or Bad Company glory days. Their smooth and bluesy One Last Dance, will hold you until the last chord.
The tempo jumps around with Suits Me Just Fine, a gritty, blues-oriented hard rocker that draws heavily from classic American Southern rock. If you love The Black Crowes then definitely give this one a whirl.
We couldn’t pick a favorite at this stage – we love all these songs! – but All Over Town, is up there. Cal’s vocals tell a tale, the solo pushes the flow of the music through you right until the end. The track has an almost ZZ Top like nod in the opening vocal that grabs hold, ready for the track to slam you in the face.
You then have, No Such Time, a track that will smash it out of the ball park at live shows, with its harmonies, powerful, overdriven blues-rock guitar riffs and an anthem like hook.
Lay It On Me morphs from energetic guitar solos and riffs temporarily into an almost 70s glam rock hook. This track has an ‘70s Aussie rock vibe mixed into it.
Fuck You Pay Me has to be the working-class anthem for anyone who’s been ripped off. And I’m pretty sure that list is long. The band say at a past gig that this was directed at venues who just expected them to show up and play for the ‘love of it’. Loving it is true but doesn’t pay the bills. Great ’80 hair band energy.
Let’s just throw in a handful of nostalgia, We’ve Got Plans Tonight stole my heart away from the opening chords. Aussie rock at its best, with Cold Chisel’s Painted Doll or Rising Sun feels. Harmonica and everything. The pace is fast, bluesy rock n roll, which has the potential to start the worlds first jive-pit at their live shows.
Many a great rock album ends on a slow pensive note and One Of These Nights (I’ll Be Gone) is exactly that for ‘Easier Said Than Done’.
THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND sounds like no one else, but at the same time they’ll have you remembering so many bands you either listened to growing up in the 70s, 80s and/or ‘90s or music you heard when your parents played their favorite albums back in the day.
These guys are the love children of the last 50 years of rock. If you loved bands like Thin Lizzy, Black Crowes, The Angels, Aerosmith, Free, AC/DC, Bad Co., Eagles, and even Van Halen and Montrose, then they should be your new favourite band.
Seriously, there is so much to take away from this band, you just need to listen. We can’t recommend THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND enough!
1. Don't Take It To Heart (03:31)
2. Something's Gotta Give (03:50)
3. Bad Luck Baby, Bye Bye (03:02)
4. It's What It's (03:52)
5. One Last Dance (03:32)
6. Suits Me Just Fine (02:57)
7. All Over Town (03:50)
8. No Such Time (03:22)
9. Lay It On Me (04:10)
10. Fuck You, Pay Me (03:32)
11. We've Got Plans Tonight (02:11)
12. One Of These Nights (I'll Be Gone) (04:09)
The Southern River Band – Easier Said Than Done (2025)
 |
