This installment of the Aussie Sounds series goes to the ethereal, lofty sound of Wonderfuls from Brisbane, who emblazon an 'against the grain' stance of not using drums, and yet still manage to captivate listeners into a hazy world of inner reflection and true grit of the uglyiness around them. The angelic, echoing arrangements show such a delicate, harrowing tone in each song, you might wonder if the songwriter, Bobby Vagg was on the verge of a mental breakdown, and if that's not an essential ingredient for real music, I really don't know what is.
With a darkness of lyricism as downtrodden as any of the greats before them, Wonderfuls show another side of the 'Ugly Australian Underground' that shuns the manic intensity of many of their brethren, for a shambolic, and starkly morose stab at feelings translated into sound. This could very well be the Xanax-soundtrack you've been waiting for, or it might lead you down a hallway illuminated with a blinding bright light, but any way you look at it, Wonderfuls clearly stand out from the wild wolf pack, as maybe not the most nihilistic, but possibly the most menacing. Be sure to check them out in the Noise in My Head: Voices from the Ugly Australian Underground book, out soon!
Check out a live performance of the "Piss Fist" title track from their debut 7" on Negative Guest List Records
