The Chats
Enmore Theatre
15 September 2022
Sydney, Australia
It must have been in 2017 that I first came across The Chats via their hit viral video “Smoko”, which instantaneously not merely won them over a myriad of fans, but also exposed ocker vernacular and their trademark depiction of annoying mundane occurrences to a worldwide audience.
With their recently released album Get Fucked, The Chats have fine-tuned their idiosyncratic melange of agitated, crass, fast punk rock and deliberate absurd posturing, which not only seems to be inspired by but subverts street punk and classic 70s pub rock in equal measure, resulting in their own brand of endearing shed rock that anyone remotely into joyous garage punk would find difficult not to fall in love with.
In a live environment, The Chats incarnate not unlike they do on their charming recordings:
Stripped down to a trio, vocalist Eamon Sandwith is the focal point as the band conjures an intense surge of a tight set, spiked with back-to-back bangers and given their well-oiled improved tightness of their rapid-fire delivery, they never run danger of outstaying their welcome.
A furious, life-affirming and cathartic evening with middle fingers firmly erected and community spirit intact. The only thing that leaves a bit to be desired is banter and audience engagements, which sure will organically evolve with time.
You want to make sure to make an effort to get to experience The Chats within the confines of smaller venues as long as you can, as frenetically celebrated tours in Europe and the US along with celebrity endorsements and a support slot for the upcoming Guns ‘N Roses tour on terra australis indicate where the journey is headed.
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photo by T
