The Night Packers are literally one of those The Marrickville Sound bands I always go on about – based around the very same inner city suburb of Sydney and still creating an enormously satisfying brand of jingle jangle indie pop after a few years in the industry.
They have today released their new EP ‘Invisible Ink’, a little over two years since ‘Loose Carry’ (see my review here) and it’s business as usual for this creative unit.
Opening track ‘Death Spiral’ is a sprightly punk pop sonic missile with charging guitars and singer David Wilks urgent yelping voice. Threaded throughout the DNA is classic post punk angular rock – think The Undertones and a little antipodean classic surf punk pop inner city Sunnyboys.
With Michael O’Rourke on vocals, ‘Fired Again’ gently – and humorously – presses on the brakes. It’s an anthemic pop song about the vicissitudes of life delivered with an antipodean wry and weary tone. There’s more of an antipodean DNA – the sardonic delivery of The Go-Betweens and a touch of Dave Graney. This continues in the jangly ‘View To Die For’ with its jingle jangle delivery and deep pop sensibilities.
‘The Man From Japan’ switches pace completely – it’s a joyous spaghetti western hoedown with spangly guitars and vocal yelps delivered with a wry tone, haunting harmonicas and a über cool swagger. More than anything, this shows off The Night Packers’ musical versatility, range and inherent sense of deadpan humour. It would make Robert Forster proud.
‘Invisible Ink’ is a fine collection of perfectly formed indie pop vignettes that ranges across a sonic inner city prairie, mixing punk, pop and a little Sergio Leone.
‘Invisible Ink’ is out today and available through the link above and via all the usual sites.
The Night Packers will be displaying their wares this Saturday with the marvellous Modern Lovers – another favourite down here at the southern outpost of Backseat Mafia. Details below.
There must be something in genetics too – two of the members have kids in another favourite Backseat Mafia band, The Nagging Doubts.
The Night Packers formed in 2022, and played their first gig at the Petersham Bowling Club in July of that year. Since then, the band have played at least a dozen more shows in Sydney and have played gigs with The Cannanes, Knievel, The Electorate, Tilmouth Oxley & Marsalis and even performance art band, Shammgods. They are:
Michael O’Rourke – Guitar & Vocals (ex-Bathurst Easter Racers)
Dave Wilks – Guitar & Vocals (ex-The Shorts of Jordan)
David ‘Snajik’ Miller – Bass Guitar (ex-Tactics)
Tom Alexander – Drums (ex-Lungs)
