Rock and Roll groups come and they go. Some hit the big time and fade fast. Others hit and stick. Always there are the original groups that take the basic R&R structure and innovate to their own style. Such are the Persian Rugs. A fresh group with an honest style. In a field of imitators, the Persian Rugs are originators. In a business where to steal material is the easy way out, the Persian Rugs are creators. Their songs and playing are something very special indeed.
It's hard to describe the Persian Rugs sound. If you could really describe it then you could nail it in time and it would fade as a fad. But the Persian Rugs sound is here to stay because it's in motion. But don't be misled. The beat's there, deep, driving and gutsy. The feeling's there, honest and unashamed. The rhythm's there too. Something you can grab hold of, hang on to . . . that drives you. Above all, the purity of freshness is there . . . all you've got to do is listen.
The Persian Rugs have been around the block a time or two. You might recall the names of three of them - Dave Faulkner, Brad Shepherd and Mark Kingsmill - from a combo called the Hoodoo Gurus who made a bit of a name for themselves a couple of years back. They had a few records on the radio and were pretty well known around the scene for their exciting live shows but in January 1998 they decided to call it a day. These days the trio are joined by bass player Kendall James who's also served time in some pretty cool rock and roll bands like The Crusaders (check) and the Thurston Howlers. Together they're a pretty formidable combo, making music that's very much now. It's the kind of driving rock and roll that the kids are listening to and certain to take its place on the charts alongside such combos as The Strokes, The Hives, The White Stripes and other cool groups that the Persian Rugs also dig.
The Persian Rugs released an EP, Mr Tripper, in 2002 but that was just a warm-up for the real deal - their debut long player called Turkish Delight. Those with their ears to the ground will already have heard a track from the album 15 Kinds Of Fool, on discerning and hip radio stations. It's a good taste of what the Persian Rugs deliver on Turkish Delight, a sound that Dave says is "tougher than I expected, with a big guitar sound. It's not the light end of 60s punk." But, make no mistake the Persian Rugs are a melodic punk rock'n'roll group. And theirs is an all-original sound. No cover versions for them. All the songs are written by Dave, with Bad News being co-written with Died Pretty's Ron Peno. The inspiration for the Persian Rugs comes predominantly from mid-1960s punk rock and roll, the sorta music that was also intrinsic to the other bands the four musicians have played with. "The Hoodoo Gurus would cover a Persian Rugs song but the Persian Rugs couldn't cover a Hoodoo Gurus song," Dave laughs as he reflects on the difference between the two bands.
The Persian Rugs dig the sounds of groups like The Seeds, The Remains and The Electric Prunes. But make no mistake - this ain't no nostalgia trip. This is tough, powerful rock and roll that sounds NOW.
"All those 60s bands are there in spirit," says
Dave. "It's kind of like we're channeling them. Adds Brad: "It was
a bit of a mental exercise in some respects, to try and divorce yourself from
anything that's happened musically after 1970."
Turkish Delight was recorded at Electric Avenue Studios in Sydney with Phil
Punch and is essentially raw, unadorned Persian Rugs. The only additional
instrumentation is a little sitar (how now is that!), some strings and a little
harpsichord. There's 13 songs and not a second of filler on a record that
hits hard with its opening chords and doesn't let go for the next 37 minutes.
The record opens with an absolute killer in 15 Kinds Of Fool
that Dave says " in a perfect universe would I think be a smash hit -
but I don't think the universe is that perfect right now."
And Turkish Delight rocks right through till the closer,
Be A Woman, a song with a strong 1960s acid blues feel, and
one that sees the Persian Rugs negotiating with acclaimed cult film-maker
Russ Meyer. The Rugs want to use footage from his film Mondo Topless to include
in their own video, a move that will make sure the clip is only seen on late
night television.
So there you have it fun lovers and thrill seekers. The Persian Rugs get down
- right down on Turkish Delight, one of the best rock and roll records you'll
hear this or any other year. You owe it to yourself to hear this platter that
really does matter - and to see the Persian Rugs live when they embark on
some serious touring.
This record will make you feel like you're on Persian Rugs. Get it kids?