Peter “Blackie” Black / Forest Pooky
“Europe Tour 2015”
Release Date: September 4th 2015
Record Label: Kicking Records/Production 386/Dirty Witch/Some Product
It may surprise less committed fans of cult punk rock favourites The Hard-Ons to know that frontman Peter “Blackie” Black spends his time away from his main venture experimenting with his softer, acoustic side. That is however, exactly what he does. In fact, he’s currently in Europe doing that exact thing right now, accompanied by fellow punk frontman, Sons Of Buddha’s Forest Pooky. In honour of a tour most monumental for the two fellows in question, they’ve recorded a six track split EP, simply titled “Europe 2015” and it definitely promises to offer something quite different from the two typically raucous rebels.
The first three tracks of the album belong to Peter Black, and he makes the most of the moment. His very distinctive vocal tone has set The Hard-Ons for the better part of three decades but it surprisingly lends itself well to Black’s own acoustic folk. He has a very smooth delivery but the slight roughness around the edges adds an extra dimension and honesty overall. Opener “Spoil Your Day” has an almost Simon and Garfunkel-esque feel to it, floating melodiously, whilst “Preach And Practice” features a very sweet dual male/female vocal. That said, the highlight is by far his final track, entitled “Trouble With Authority“, the track most likely to assure Hard-Ons fans that this is the same Peter Black.
Forest Pooky immediately transcends Black though as “Let You In” instantly exceeds the standard set by the previous three tracks. It just feels more complete overall, the hooks and harmonies just melting together wondrously. It has to be said that Pooky has one large advantage in that his vocal tone suits this style of music far more naturally than Black. Not to say that Black’s doesn’t work, but Black’s works whereas Pooky’s dazzles with a very similar timbre to that of Youtube semi-sensation Chad Neidt. “You’re A Mess” takes the foundations that “Let You In” laid and builds brick upon bouncy brick upon it, full to the brim with poppy melody. Closer “Choosing Lies” is by far the highlight, the chorus melodies absolutely soaring, with hints of the more down-tempo Foo Fighters material possibly glimpsing through as a potential influence.
The EP is a mixed bag, albeit a good one. Peter Black does what he does perfectly fine, but it doesn’t feel as if there’s much more to it than what’s offered at face value, whereas Forest Pooky is full of vim and vigor. Black aims for simplistic, whereas Pooky aims for a more layered intricacy. Overall, it just feels like Pooky’s musical vision is more realised, whereas Peter Black’s work feels like the side project that it is. It really is apples and oranges with both artists offering different ideas. It’s just that one does it so much better. That said, it will be both intriguing and a pleasure to see what both men do with their solo ventures in the future.
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