Track By Track: Flaxxies' New 'Sunstruck' EP

Spring and pollen is in the air as Tāmaki Makaurau's Flaxxies roll their windows down on tour for the first time in Tauranga tonight. The five-piece collective will sling the surf dub groove of their Sunstruck EP onto tons of North Island stages before treating us to the same in the South (to be announced). Produced and mixed by their iconic “uncle” Tiki Taane, their longest collection to date blends together reggae, blues and rock into sunny new shapes. The boys were seen on TikTok itching to get the show on the road, but still found time to take us through each track of Sunstruck. Get into the Flaxxies festivities with their insight below…

Flaxxies 'Sunstruck' Tour

Friday 1st September - Totara St, Tauranga w/ Marmalade Skies, Caught Inside
Saturday 2nd September - Meow, Wellington w/ Wet Denim, Fine Wine Social Club
Friday 8th September - Whammy Bar, Auckland w/ Frank On Tap, Bella Rafflyn
Saturday 9th September - Last Place, Hamilton w/ Bella Rafflyn, Spencer Coyle
Saturday 30th December NYE'23 - Coroglen, Coromandel*
Friday 5th January - Beach Break, Whangamata*

Tickets available HERE via UTR
*For more information and tickets go to linktr.ee/flaxxiesband

1. 'Sunstruck'

The first track of the EP — 'Sunstruck' serves as an intro to 'Snapped Up', and is included in the music video (below). 

2. 'Snapped Up (By The Boss)'

We wrote 'Snapped Up' collectively, and brought it to Tiki’s studio in the Bay of Plenty to see it through the rest of the EP’s production cycle. Benji’s vocals are a highlight in this one, giving a great focal point on top of Jayden's drumbeat and Chris’ bass groove — which still leave ample room for Eric and Nick to lay down some spacious and rhythmic guitar layering. The addition of some trumpet from Chris is some nice icing on the cake, the sum of which results in a memorable fusion of reggae, classic blues, and dub. 

3. 'Time To Go'

'Time To Go' explores the complex feelings of being locked into a toxic relationship… Lyrically, Benji delves into the point of realisation of toxic patterns— and hopes to serve as a tool of introspection to the listener. Eric and Nick’s angular guitar riffs interlock onto a tight rhythm section from Jayden and Chris to really drive home the jarring themes of the song.

4. 'Cast Me Away'

'Cast Me Away' is yet another piece of classic Flaxxies surf-rock, with big drums from Jayden, roaring guitars from Nick and Eric, some powerful vocals from Benji, and a steady, driving bassline from Chris. One of our personal favs, 'Cast Me Away' explores a huge dynamic range from bridge to chorus, with Benji exploring themes of cold relationships and the complexity of dealing with stagnation and feeling generally overwhelmed.

5. 'Brighter Days'

'Brighter Days' is a bit of a tribute from us to some of the reggae legends of old. It was an absolute privilege working with Tiki Taane to help achieve a super deep sound — his dub wisdom was instrumental in getting the outcome we were after! This one’s a bit of a Trojan Horse for Benji to address some really heavy topics and issues in the context of a post-colonial society, in efforts to provide some hope for the brighter days ahead.

6. 'Who's Been Callin''

The last track on the EP is another favourite of the boys… 'Who’s Been Callin’' serves as a question of authority to those in charge. Written in the fabled Lot 61 during one of the lengthier lockdowns, its sonic inspirations draw a lot from the rebellious groove of old school hip-hop, with, of course, some crunchy surf-rock tones in the mix. Overall, Benji uses this song as a base for exploring the isolation and disenfranchisement that the country was feeling at the time.

'Sunstruck' EP is out now on major streaming services.