Trash Kit – Trash Kit
You’d be forgiven for thinking the UK was years behind the US when it comes to tunes. UK releases worth listening to are generally outnumbered three-to-one by American equivalents, and few, if any, coherent scenes seem to exist as opposed to several state-side. But, there is no copyright on creativity as Southend’s These New Puritans , and lesser-known Londoners Nedry have proved.
A Grave With No Name help support the argument, running with a highly likeable shoegaze-folk hybrid, and for the more straight-edged, Danny & The Champions Of The World more than compete in the alt-country/folk market. Lo-fi has sufficient UK representatives too ranging from the clattering sound of Lovvers to the 50s rock ‘n’ roll- influenced Spectrals , but few have emerged bearing a torch from the arty DIY scene since the sad demise of Help She Can’t Swim .
Trash Kit are less indie and more punky for sure, but they’re nevertheless an interesting riposte in their absence. An all-girl trio from East London, their improv post-punk combines trashy single-note guitar lines courtesy of Rachel Aggs , oiksome vocal duets and the three of them get through their noisy 17 tracks in 27 minutes flat. So, if you don’t like one – you won’t like them all, see the confused “Gorey” – you don’t have long to wait for the next.
Forming in 2009, Trash Kit are understandably ramshackle in their relative youth yet succeed in harnessing elements of The Slits and The Raincoats and combine them with 21st century attitude and attention spans. Proof of this arrives with their way off-kilter beats that could inspire dancing and/or fits, depending on the listener. That the majority of their publicity shots and live shows come replete with tribal face-paint doesn’t really come as a surprise, and that Electrelane ‘s Ros Murray is also part of the party doesn’t either. Spikes of violin interrupt the melodic “Tattoo” as her influence is most strongly felt.
Peels of sax punctuate “Cadets”, which is otherwise a shouty, enviable mess that blends sped-up Gang Of Four rhythms with Liquid Liquid -like groove. Competing tempos wind up the trash-can acoustics of “50ft Woman”. The opener is a light but beguiling exercise in minimal punk-funk, and idea-level snippets such as “Bugsy” keep the breakneck progressions in place. “Natascha” explores similar post-punk avenues to recent head-turner LoneLady (again a UK native) but in decidedly less silky fashion it must be said.
The US still seem have the upper hand when it comes to commercial value and consistency, but Trash Kit have sufficient appeal to help prove themselves, and the UK, more than just noisy neighbours.
Advised downloads : “Cadets” and “Natascha”.
Trash Kit is out now on Upset The Rhythm .