Hollywoodfun Downstairs revel in the heyday of Britain's “post” post-punk era – a time when bands like Pulp and Blur ruled the airwaves and ushered in a new wave of outsider pop. The crafty trio have taken this starting point and drenched it in punishing layers of noise. The Mancunian Swing is their debut album and therein you will find some severely unhinged music driven by force of will and sheer personality.
Singer / guitarist Truk Oilywater is a singular commanding presence through the record. One minute he is haunting a song, skulking low in the mix, the next he is turning his manic intensity up to 11. He is backed by the rock-solid rhythm section of Grant Gall (bass) and Tim Myhill (drums). They positively tear through the ten tracks on the album, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
'Colours of Soho' is an early standout, riding a surging beat and ping-ponging guitar chords like a lost Dead Kennedys track. The downbeat 'Lucid Minds' only offers a brief respite from the dissonance before tossing you back in the deep end. This is no easy listening experience and the band are not pussyfooting around; Hollywoodfun Downstairs are simply demanding a response.
