This single is not actually out on general release until 5th April, so if the following passage piques your interest please set your diaries to download on that date.

Silcrow is an Auckland-based 4 piece rock/grunge/indie combo that’s making waves in numerous scenes right now, and this single, Too Late To Forget, gives me some idea as to why. Produced by Scott Seabright, who I am by now convinced is omnipresent and deserving of his own T-shirt range, we’ve got a single that bridges several different guitar-led genres and eras, and comes out punching on all fronts.

Led by the vocal of Lorenzo Hazelwood, we dip into a sneering baby-baritone to start us off; the kind of vibe that we’d once heard from Australia’s Silverchair. Low range but not obviously limited to that scale, hence “baby”; and with attitude and confidence, hence “sneering”. Without giving too much away pre-launch, you’ll get a great surprise with Lorenzo‘s range on full display, which you get to do in spades. Following listening to this, if you can do so, have a listen to Ana’s Song from Silverchair – see what I mean with the vocal? Punky, grungy, and a throaty tenor rock punch too. Highly impressive vocal, with several octaves easily hit.

Composition and instrumentation are measured, and executed professionally and with some flourish. Guitarist Oscar Miller has layered some beefy rhythm riffs and sits some really nicely toned lead extrapolation over the top. It’s not frenetic shredding: this chap is calculating and plays by design. The sign of a planner. The whole track is anchored and uplifted by a very classy rhythm section. Conor Sutton‘s deep, dark bass meshes very well with the excellent skin smacking of the very experienced Carl Steiller. I’ve cooked scrambled eggs on toast for Carl in Wellington when he was drumming for a band I used to manage back in the day. This band has got an absolute rock monster behind the drums, and it shows. Mister Seabright has of course recognised this and the bottom end sits at a wonderfully poised volume, thundering this track through the night like Gordon the Express showing off for the Fat Controller. My youngest is five. I am not even embarrassed by the comparison.

We’re not looking at the fastest tempo you’ve ever come across for a song that crosses the genres it crosses, but this one is a story-teller of a track. It’s a song about loves gone and remembered, and the loss one feels long after. You could be forgiven for initially worrying that this is a sentimental pop number, but no. It’s well constructed lyrically, and has a memorable chorus. The guitars are nicely muddy in that grunge style, while retaining a rock vibe. Think Ugly Kid Joe (their better stuff) for term of reference there.

As mentioned, it’s out of the gate on 5th April. I’m releasing the review now though, to help the guys build the momentum for the release – because it deserves to be aired and find success. I would think this is a shoo-in for Hauraki, the Rock, 99bFMs rock-friendly shows, and RadioActive etc. The Aussies will pick this up too, and I know there’s a burgeoning scene for online radio stations spinning Kiwi bands. I’m sure manager Michelle Bakker has that all on the radar anyway, so I’ll just add that they’re doing a couple of Auckland shows in April and May, and are dusting off the Bombays passports to go rattle Tauranga in May too. Go see them!

8th April update: the band has released its promo video to accompany the track now it’s on general release. Out on the You Tubes, I won’t add spoilers, but it’s very well lit, a great, simple concept for a track in the particular family of genres the band falls into, and is entertaining and effective Nice work fellas!