The Birds Of Satan – ‘The Birds Of Satan’

The members of Foo Fighters have all had involvement in various other projects: Dave Grohl – QOTSA, Probot, Sound City, to name but a few, Nate Mendel – Sunny Day Real Estate, Chris Shiflett – Me First And The Gimme Gimmes… I could go on. Taylor Hawkins has previously tried his hand at fronting a band with ‘Taylor Hawkins And The Coattail Riders’ and ‘Chevy Metal’; now he has once again teamed up with Wiley Hodgden and Mick Murphy and made his way out from behind the drum-kit to form The Birds Of Satan. I must admit, I do have a soft spot for Taylor’s gruff vocals and endearing, child-like energy as he bounces across the stage whilst blasting out lyrics and so – for me – any outlet that gives us the opportunity to bear witness to these lovable antics is one to anticipate with excitement.

Following last month’s single, ‘Thanks For The Line’, The Birds Of Satan are to release their debut self titled album –  a rather bemusing, but exceedingly enjoyable, blend of sounds that was all recorded in less than a week at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606. Whilst drawing most of their inspiration from Hawkins’ beloved classic rock anthems, The Birds Of Satan also offer a surprisingly eclectic array of discernable influences, as Taylor himself says of the album: “It’s like a love letter to the music I love, a nod to everything; a homage sometimes…” And that seems to sum it up perfectly – an amalgamation of everything Hawkins, that is not trying to be anything but that.

With a mere seven tracks, you certainly cannot bemoan The Birds Of Satan for being a dull record. Literally, with the start of each new song, I was left in a state of shock, and slight bewilderment, at just how different it was from the last… The epic, Sabbath-esque, thrashing guitars and climatic beats of opening track, ‘The Ballad Of The Birds Of The Satan’, in stark contrast to the emotion strewn, melodic harpsichord intro and reflective lyrics of the album’s closer, ‘Too Far Gone To See’. Whilst other tracks appear to showcase a whole catalogue of genres in just one song: the aptly named ‘Pieces Of The Puzzle’, for instance, seems to have collected pieces of punk-rock, ska and some epic, metal-inspired riffs that the Hawk is so fond of, and somehow managed to succeed in fitting them all together perfectly.

The highlight of The Birds Of Satan, for me, is probably still the first single – ‘Thanks For The Line’ – the most catchy, and effective, track as a whole. More Eagles Of Death Metal than Foos, it is a classic rock-inspired anthem that pays homage to the likes of T Rex and the Sabbath in true Hawkins style. With tongues firmly in cheeks, ‘Thanks For The Line’ offers us crazy, heavy-rock licks, cowbells a plenty, and even comes equipped with its own melodic, piano-filled interlude (no doubt inspired by Taylor’s beloved Queen): all in all, an exceedingly enjoyable slice of scuzzy rock.

The Birds Of Satan’s eponymous debut is set for release on Monday (14th April), and with its hugely heterogeneous seven tracks, and appearances from fellow Foos – Mr Grohl and Pat Smear – it is certainly a must have for lovers of all things r’Hawk.

Mari Lane

@marimindles

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.