CDs SENT TO HALF A COW

Sounds like Kim Salmon has crept out of the swamp and placed a loving arm around the shoulders of these young groovers from Melbourne who call themselves The Sticks. They got the looks, the sounds, they even got the gimmicks – as they sent two sets of ‘Sticks’ matches with this self-titled demo cd. There are four tracks here which are all well-recorded, well-arranged and played. The rehearsals paid off, fellas! Brothers Paul and Bernard (no last names included) and their buddy Nick should have no problem grabbing the attention of swaggering and sweat-drenched rock fans looking for some more R.O.C.K. Back to Salmon: it’s not just the gritty vocals, it’s the rhythm guitar sound, too. There’s also some very tasty brass going on which is well placed in the mix – just like how the Saints would have done it. All four songs are cool, but the standout track for us is the final one ‘Oh Darling’ (sample lyrics: 'baby I laughed when you laughed and I cry when you cry / but oh darling…’).

We’ll leave the final word(s) to their bio: “If the Sticks are not writing songs in the corner of a dimly lit bedroom, between an old tape deck, a punnet of strawberries, a half full cup of Ribena, and a band of instruments that fill the room like an old Melbourne brewery overgrown with weeds, then they are taking it to the stage. Worn red leather boots, be-ringed fingers, tight white trousers, suede hats, attitude, and the wurlitzing stage of bright lights, good times and senseless fun, these boys strut and rock out on stage like there’s no tomorrow!” - ND