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Anti Fade records is over the moon to announce the release of upcoming 7”, ‘Reader’, from Ulladulla’s finest hit-machine, R.M.F.C.
R.M.F.C. (or Rock Music Fan Club) is the brain child of 18-year-old Buz Clatworthy, who writes, performs and records all of the groups output himself in his bedroom in South-east NSW.
The project began in late 2018 after showing a friend a demo, in which they encouraged a proper release.
The first cassette, Hive, Vol. 1 was released September ’18 on Slime Street records, and a lineup was formed to play the songs live shortly after.After the release of the follow up Hive, Vol 2 cassette, all songs were compiled onto an LP that came out on Germany’s Erste Theke Tontraeger label.
The sound relies primarily on the heavy, driving basslines over dancey drum beats, blended with monotone, chant-like vocals
which make up R.M.F.C.
Reader turns a new leaf and shows us a darker and more technical side to the project, honing in more on Buz’s abilities as a songwriter and displaying a growing maturity while still managing to maintain
that familiar mischievousness.
Our take: We last heard from Australia’s R.M.F.C. on their Hive 1 + 2 compilation LP, on which Germany’s Erste Theke Tonträger compiled two previous cassette releases. Now they’re back on the Australian label Anti-Fade, and maybe it’s just my imagination, but the sound this time is less robotic and poppier, more in line with the pop-oriented bands on Anti-Fade. The a-side, “Reader,” starts with a pogo-punk part, but slides into a mid-paced, melodic punk tune that would fit comfortably on Devo’s Freedom of Choice. I know Devo comparisons are as common as oxygen molecules, but this track hits the nail on the head with its tight playing style and melodic sophistication. The b-side, “Faux Freaks,” is shorter and faster, and the emphasis on rhythm over melody puts it more in line with modern Devo disciples. It’s still a good song, though, which is important to note since it seems like only the a-side is on bandcamp and streaming services. I can’t imagine these two tracks will disappoint anyone who picked up that first record and liked it.