Psych-punk psychic warrior, ear worm-farmer, and possessor of many stamped passport pages John Dwyer does not let up. His group OSees (aka Oh Sees, Thee Oh Sees, OCS, The Oh Sees, etc) have transmogrified to fit many a moment – from hushed druggy folk to groovy demonic pop chants to science fictional krautrock expanse and beyond – to suit his omnivorous whims. This latest transformation have just released the first track off their new album Protean Threat which is out on 18th September 2020 (LP/CD) on Castle Face Records.
The brilliantly titled ‘Dreary Nonsense’ was released on 28th July 2020 and is 1.34 of delicious, bass heavy, squelchy, jazz inspired punky stop start madness that you would only expect from Osees. And that is exactly what is amazing about Dwyer and his band of Osees. You EXPECT brilliance in everything that they do and they always deliver 100% on that promise. ‘Dreary Nonsense’ is over before you even start to comprehend what you have just listened to. Squealing guitars, the aforementioned bass squelch and the staccato vocals make for a mind melding experience that one feels the need to have on repeat until sense is made. It almost feels like early 80s snarling English punk. Like the Toy Dolls or something? Just fantastic.
Just brilliant stuff from a frankly untouchable band. It’s a good feeling knowing you are alive at the same time as the Osees.
Their album is released with a statement as follows:
WITNESS THE EVER-CHANGING, EVER-MUTATING THREAT THAT IS
REALITY
PERCEPTION IS UNDER DURESS
SENSIBILITY IS BENDING EVERYDAY UNDER THE BARRAGE OF NONSENSE
WE MUST MAKE NOTE OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE HAVE BECOME
LOOK INTO THE MIRROR OF THE PLANET-KILLERS
PSYCHIC CANNIBALS INFILTRATE AND CONTAMINATE ONCE FAMILIAR AND SEEMINGLY SECURE
TERRITORIES
FORMIDABLE FOES INDEED
WHAT POWERS THESE BEASTS?
WHAT FUELS DISCORD AND HATRED?
THE BEHEMOTH OF A “CIVIL” SOCIETY?
WHAT ARE THE WEAPONS AT OUR DISPOSAL?
GENEROSITY IS YOUR AEGIS AGAINST GREED
EMPATHY IS YOUR ARMOR TO DEFLECT APATHY
LOVE IS YOUR CLUB TO ABATE HATE
THE FOG IS LIFTING AND HUMANS ARE OPENING THEIR EYES
AND SO WE OFFER THIS FIELD RECORDING FROM THE PITS
AS A QUICK BOOSTER BETWEEN PROTEIN PILLS AND RECYCLED SWEAT BEVERAGE
ANTHEMS TO ASSIST YOU
TO NOT WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF VIOLENCE AND GREED
TO NOT OFFER YOURSELVES UP FOR FREE
TO STAND UP AND BE VIGILANT
TRUTH WILL NOT BE FOUND IN THE SPEECHES AND PHOTO OPS OF YOUR OVERLORDS
STAND STRONG AND TOGETHER UNDER THE GAZE OF YOUR OPPRESSORS
STAND VIGILANT, UNITED WITH THOSE WHO DON’T HAVE THE SAME PRIVILEGE AS YOU.
DEMAND RESPECT AND A PEACEFUL LIFE FOR ALL
THIS RECORDING IS AT THE APOGEE OF SCUZZ
PUNK ANTHEM AMULETS FOR YOUR EARS AND HEART
A BATTERY FOR YOUR CORE
BE STRONG
BE HUMAN
BE LOVE
Earlier this year OSees announced their updated UK tour dates. Initially planned for May to July, the UK and European tour was postponed due to the cancellations caused by COVID-19. Throughout the month of November the band will be performing in 15 dates across the UK, Ireland, France and Germany.
All dates are listed on the Oh Sees’ website
OSees UK + Ireland Tour Dates:
05/11 – UK – Bristol – SWX
06/11 – UK – Birmingham – The Crossing
07/11 – UK – Glasgow – SWG3
08/11 – IRL – Dublin – Button Factory
09/11 – IRL – Dublin – Button Factory
11/11 – UK – Manchester – Albert Hall
13/11 – UK – Brighton – Chalk
15/11 – UK – Cambridge – Junction
16/11 – UK – London – Electric Ballroom
17/11 – UK – London – Electric Ballroom
Review by Ioan Humphreys: twitter.com/ioan_humphreys
theeohsees.com