Bang Bang Eche were never going to let being from New Zealand’s South Island impede their success. For a band formed a little over a year ago, the distance covered by their tour bus is as impressive as their blistering impassioned live shows. Their unique brand of thrilling dance-punk has already caused a stir within the suitably awestruck audiences of the United States’ CMJ Music Marathon and SXSW Festival, as well as the UK’s Great Escape and Sound City. Debut UK release ‘SONIC DEATH C**TTTT is, as the title may suggest, a purposeful attempt to shake things up.
From the first few bars of opener ‘Fist Full of Dollars’, a sense of youthful urgency is unmistakable and instantly unshakeable. Extrovert front man, 20-year-old Zach Doney’s fast paced vocals are discharged with the same electrifying energy that distorts Charlie Ryder’s guitars and various synths. Backed by James Sullivan (Drums) and T’Nealle Worsley (Bass/ Guitar), the quartet combine elements of post-punk with dance bass lines to create an insubordinate adolescent offspring of the two genres.
Since the release of their debut self released, self-titled EP in 2008 (available online for free download), the past year has been non-stop and seen them open for The Faint as well as playing alongside Die! Die! Die!, Enter Shikari. Cut Off Your Hands and !!!. Traversing the USA, UK, Germany, Switzerland and Australia; BBE’s youthful exuberance and thirst for playing live has often led to multiple shows occurring on the same day and even two gigs in different venues within an hour. Their appearance at this years SXSW showcase in Texas was met by a swarm of excitable punters filling the venue within minutes as they showed what NZ had to offer, playing with fellow Kiwi Ladyhawke. The gig saw Zach narrowly avoid serious injury, leaping the length of the stage from the 10-foot speaker stack.
With all of the band members yet to turn 21, it’s unlikely they’ll run out of steam anytime soon and why it’s unsurprising that they’ll be back on our shores this November.
You can check out the band playing 'Time Mismanagement' live in the video above.