Label: Pee Records

Smart is not a word that most people would usually associate with modern hardcore punk bands. Indeed, merely mentioning an interest in the genre is usually enough to warrant snobbery from those who think that Hatebreed represent the epitome of the musical style. Never fear however, because Driven Fear are here to break the mould by delivering blistering punk beats with lyrical content that will make you think and want to fight against societal wrongs. Their latest EP, Society’s Finest?, is set for release in March and will serve as their debut on Australia’s very own Pee Records.

If one were looking for a concise description of Driven Fear, it is hard to look past other similarly heavy bands like Ruiner and Raised Fist. Considerable comparison can also especially be made between Society’s Finest? and Toe To Toe’s classic EP Old Scores, New Glories, with both raging through just over half a dozen songs in about twenty minutes. Every song is propelled by rocket-like drums and crunchy power chords, with suitably pissed off singing attempting to convey a message. It is true that the message sometimes gets lost in the mix, so it is critically important to read the lyrics. In particular, “Keep In Check” and “Cut Skin Deep” are quite powerful; the former rails against prejudice of all kinds, while the latter is a positive song encouraging the listener to make the most of life. It’s all good stuff, especially considering the pessimistic and self-indulgently apathetic messages that mainstream rock has been conveying lately following the popularisation of emo music. Hopefully more bands will follow the example set by bands like Driven Fear and start singing about the real world again, because I am getting awfully sick of having to listen to songs about black parades, sexy bitches and disco sticks.

While Driven Fear have already undertaken a number of tours both within Australia and throughout South East Asia on the back of their previous EP And The Battle Still Continues..., it looks certain that Society’s Finest? will only serve to increase this young band’s fanbase. Keep an eye out for these guys, because even though they hail from Queensland, their new status as a Pee Records band will most likely be bringing them to Melbourne some time soon.

By Matthew Woodward