Australia’s Royal Headache name checks obscure musical influences: The 1970s pop and rock bands the Nerves and TV Personalties in addition to early-era punks the Jabbers (originally fronted by the infamous GG Allin). Regardless, the band’s second album, the newly released High, unfolds like an indie music history lesson (much like albums being made by Parquet Courts and Iceage).
While High is more of a nod to the past than present, Royal Headache pulls off an original, fun tribute to those bands from decades ago. Fans of groups as varied as Guided By Voices to the Thermals (as well as Parquet Courts and Iceage) are likely to gravitate to this album. I highly recommend it.
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By the way, Royal Headache isn’t alone among contemporary musicians acknowledging Allin’s influence. Ty Segall covered Don’t Talk to Me four years ago.
Here’s what the original sounded like:
All the Young Punks 