Review: Disciplinary ‘Porkwind’

There’s something about trios that make them so appealing, Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr, Venom, The Manic Street Preachers… (OK, probably not the Manic Street Preachers if I’m honest). Now you can add to this rank Newcastle Upon Tyne three-piece Disciplinary (Garrick, Hughes, Woodcock) who are described on their Bandcamp page as a ‘Dual bass and drums hardcore noise-punk riff assault’ that features members of Prolefeed, Lovely Wife, Tide Of Iron and Marzuraan.

Disciplinary 'Porkwind'
Disciplinary ‘Porkwind’ Artwork

Their label, Cruel Nature Records, is the perfect hosting spot featuring, as it does, a diverse range of artists such as the ragged discordant post-punk of Pound Land (whose recent album Defeated I reviewed for The Shaman), ambient post-rockers Lunt and Clara Engel’s neo-folk/singer-songwriter stylings. The stakes have been raised, a quality label that usually produces quality output, will this be the case with the curiously titled Porkwind? Let’s find out…

Weedle opens the album and the first thing that hits you are the serious Motörhead vibes. It’s pretty much lo-fi rock ‘n’ roll which makes the production on even the most DIY output from Dischord seem like Dark Side Of The Moon by comparison. Some may find this off-putting but having listened to hardcore for well over two decades, it really doesn’t faze me all that much (it does help that I’ve been primed by the late Spot who worked on all those vintage SST releases). A decent scene setter.

Mobile Cenotaph is a slightly different proposition, a little more ‘metal’ with moments that, at times, remind me of Celtic Frost with some noise-rock/grunge courtesy of Karp and Tad respectively thrown into the mix. King Canute seems a little more post-metal, like an abbreviated Neurosis (if that makes sense). The progressive nature of the music, as well as the vocal intonations, certainly point this way and also help demonstrate the band’s desire in showcasing a little more musical complexity.

Salad Cream has some definite touches of Poison Idea about it, not quite Feel The Darkness but not totally outside those realms either, hinting as it does the heavier approach of that band during their late ‘80s and early ‘90s heyday. However, I will caveat this by saying Disciplinary demonstrate a far more absurdist sense of humour, ala Frank Zappa, than the outright nihilism of the aforementioned Poison Idea.

the first thing that hits you are the serious Motörhead vibes…

Slip Rib wouldn’t be totally out of place on Black Flag’s My War, in fact thinking about it, the tracks title could be a send-up of that bands Slip It In? There is definitely some Greg Ginn styled riffing and fantastic bass/drums interplay that recalls Kira Roessler/Bill Stevenson during the best line-up of that band circa 1983-1985. I quite enjoy this one for these very reasons.

Horse Drugs again seems to employ Motörhead what with that opening rumbling bass intro that is pure Lemmy and on the whole it pretty much follows in a similar vein to opener Weedle, while Less Fun recalls classic Amphetamine Reptile bands such as Surgery which, make no mistake, certainly ticks my boxes.

Punishing Chunk is a little Melvins and Flipper-esque, alternating as it does between sludge and punk, meanwhile Baby Nan(n)a instantly recalls Neurosis’ crusty hardcore beginnings on their Pain Of Mind debut as well as the track of the same name. A thunderous way to conclude proceedings.

It’s evident judging by the album’s name, as well as its accompanying track titles, that Disciplinary are not a band that necessarily takes themselves too seriously and with Porkwind you have a record that will fill a nice gap in your listening schedule when you aren’t craving anything too cerebral or taxing.

Label: Cruel Nature Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Scribed by: Reza Mills