Single Review

The Family Rain – Hunger Sauce EP

• 28th Jul 2014

Bath based trio The Family Rain released their debut album Under The Volcano earlier this year. The three Walter brothers – Ollie on guitar, Will on bass/ vocals and Timothy on drums – have hit the studio again pretty quickly, this time working with producer Tom Dalgety (Band Of Skulls, Maccabees).

The Hunger Sauce EP is really four short and to the point singles that last just over ten minutes in total. There is a much harder edge on display here than the blues infused indie sound of the album, more of a distorted garage sound. And there is much more of a sense of a band now finding their own approach.

You Should Be Glad You’ve Got a Man rattles along at great pace. The vocals are strident, the dirty guitar riffs large and fierce, and the massive drum fills give an energy that immediately beats anything from the album. We Are In Love is also riff heavy and tells of obsessive love in a disturbing manner aided by some great guitar. The vocals work very well, emphasising the tone of the lyrics in fine fashion.

Tarantula is bold and with a menacing edge to it, an anthemic song with a big chorus. Punchbowl ends the EP in similar vein, a start – stop rhythm with massive riffs and solid bass backing strong vocals. The chorus again is a shoutalong style that will work very well on stage.

The Family Rain’s debut album largely consisted of fairly safe indie standards, the influence of many other bands clear. This short release takes a different path, and it shows that a great deal of musical growth has taken place in a short time. This more rocking approach suits the band well and the four high energy tracks on display here bode well for the talented trio’s future.

Venue: Hunger Sauce EP
Support Band: Mountbatten Recordings/ Kobalt