Should history dictate that this really is The New Christs' last will and testament, then be thankful. The new fifteen-track album is as uncompromising as would be expected by those who have followed the band's career these past twenty plus years - perhaps more so. A venerable list of today's garage rock contenders - The Hellacopters, The Hives, The BellRays and the newest group to join the fray, The Datsuns - all respectfully acknowledge the immense influence of Rob Younger, The New Christs' vocalist. Younger first used The New Christs name in 1980, just two years after the demise of his previous outfit, Radio Birdman, unquestionably one of Australia's greatest bands.Bad luck may have hindered both bands during their careers, but, despite that, near-legendary status has been heaped on the small body of recorded work Radio Birdman left behind. Similarly, Distemper, The New Christs' debut album is widely hailed as one of the best Australian rock albums. Radio Birdman recently reformed for a series of sold-out live shows in Australia and is rumored to have both U.S. and European tour dates in the works for 2003.
Perhaps 'We Got This! will finally and deservedly see The New Christs reap similar attention. Younger's principal live and recording vehicle, The New Christs, has seen some of Australia's best 'underground' musicians pass through its ranks. This includes members of The Hoodoo Gurus, The Celibate Rifles, The Lime Spiders, Died Pretty, The Screaming Tribesmen, The Someloves, The Saints and The Eastern Dark. Younger also fronted New Race, a short-lived supergroup featuring ex-Birdman bassist Warwick Gilbert, ex-Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton and ex-MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson.
As purveyors of intense, high-powered, melodic rock 'n' roll, The New Christs have always been hard to beat and, if We Got This! is to be the band's swan song, then they're undoubtedly quitting while they're ahead. Whatever the outcome, it is certain that there will be more to come from Rob Younger.
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