Numbers Radio
Numbers Radio EP
Valley Trash


At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking Numbers Radio were little more than the latest exponents of Australian cock rock. The boring name and tacky equipment gracing the front cover say little for what is inside. Behind this ugly faŤade however is a brilliantly surprising and exciting release.

When the Brisbane trio tout themselves as the next big thing in Australian rock and roll, they're selling themselves short. Their debut EP is so much more, with elements of post-hardcore and grunge littered through the five fast-paced and high energy tunes. Foregone pioneers are saluted in each song, but at no time do Numbers Radio sound overly derivative.

Hiding Away kicks off the EP, and as gentle strumming breaks down into a gorgeous lick and Dave Orr's rushed vocals begin it feels like it could have come straight from 'Vaya'-era At The Drive-In. Michigan group Bear vs. Shark sadly cut their exciting experimental hard rock short in 2005, but on the strength of this EP and tracks like I Am, Numbers Radio have the energy and the creativity to burn their flame.

The Triple J rotated Come On is deliciously catchy, however it isn't really indicative of the main strengths of this band. In the context of the EP though, the pop relief it provides fits perfectly (even if it is rather similar to a certain Von Bondies hit). From a country so proud of its rock history, there has really been little of any quality to celebrate of late. Old hands are standing tall, but where has the next generation been? All this is changing however - with fellow Brisbanites Violent Soho leading a grunge revival and Sydney's Regular John promoting an thrilling equally post-hardcore vibe, there is so much to look forward to. Fans of these two great acts will eat up Numbers Radio's self -itled EP.

Nick Peters