Local Resident Failure – A Breath of Stale Air

Pee Records may just be one of the most interesting punk record labels to make its mark over the past five years.  Exclusively highlighting those punk acts based down under that struggle to breakout outside of their geography, the label has earned somewhat of a reputation for being “The Fat Wreck Chords of Australia.”  The label has introduced me to bands like Part Time Killer, Burning Fiction, and now Newcastle’s Local Resident Failure.

Clearly inspired by the jewels of the Fat Wreck dynasty, including NOFX, No Use For A Name, and of course countrymen Frenzal Rhomb, Local Resident Failure offers a familiar sounding debut that skirts plagiarism with their undeniably authentic execution.  As implied in its namesake, A Breath Of Stale Air might sound like it belongs back in 1997, but only because it sounds so damn true to its roots in spirit and style.  Even those they emulate would be hard pressed to produce anything this pure on the skatepunk spectrum.

“The Opener” kicks off the album with a particularly melodic dose of punk rock that builds up from a harmonious vocal heavy intro and explodes into a fast, loud, sonic battering brimming with youthful attitude and confrontational themes.  “They knew it couldn’t happen from the start, their family would always say that this would never last” sings frontman Michael Dallinger as he exposes racist views on inter-racial couples that those of former generations continue to impose.  It’s a strong, purposeful opening sure to catch the ear of anyone with a social conscious.  They revisit the topic with optimism for change in “Sad Beginning, Happy Ending.”  The theme is a strong one, which they turn on its head a few tracks later with “Playing The Race Card,” evidencing the band’s very complete understanding of contemporary racial dialogues.

It’s not all frowns and finger wagging though, and it becomes obvious early on that Local Resident Failure’s snarky attitude and tongue-in-cheek sarcasm fuels their drive.

For instance, the band has a good bit to say about their aging punk rock heroes.  “(Still) Kickin’ On” calls out those classic punk acts that seem to have been playing crappy dives their whole their careers.  “Geriatric punk rock is their game” accuses Dallinger, pointing out with their quick wit that in spite of their saturation they must be doing something right: “sitting in their wheelchair staring into blank air, losing all their hair but does anybody care… I’ll still be watching them when I turn 54.”  With Pennywise, Bad Religion, and more accurately lesser acts like SNUFU and D.O.A. still going strong from the 80’s I think most of us fans can relate.  But they’re not done yet.  “Nowhere To Be Scene” takes another cheeky jab at aging punk rockers and how “they’re all moving on, writing slower songs” – the two obvious solo greats coming mind being Joey Cape and the late Tony Sly (rest his soul).  Still, the band is so playful in delivery (changing tempo and pulling out the upstroke) that you can tell they love celebrating rather than criticizing their idols, and it makes for a good chuckle.

As should be made obvious from my volume of content descriptions, I really enjoy Local Resident Failure’s offerings.  It’s nothing new – at all – but it’s incredibly fresh and sincere.  I find myself forging a stronger connection with the album after each listen – so it’s safe to say that it’s not just a case of stylistic nostalgia (although that’s definitely a huge draw).  When all is said and done, A Breath Of Stale Air is one of the best 90’s albums written twenty years too late.  So if NOFX is your thing, definitely get to know Local Resident Failure.