THIS WEEK I’M LISTENING TO...THE DUST CODA Loco Paradise (Earache)

Armed to the teeth with rock ‘n’ roll swagger and bluesy bravado, London’s peculiarly-named The Dust Coda – a symbolic name chose to represent keeping all the bet bits of rock ‘n’ roll alive, apparently – are back with their third album. Following in the slipstream of the band’s self-titled 2017 debut and ‘Mojo’ Skyline’ from two years back ‘Loco Paradise’ is an adrenaline shot of hard rock which combines the genre’s traditional bedrocks with a neat sprinkling of impetuous adventurousness. Formed by Australian-born vocalist John Drake and guitarist Adam Mackie ten years ago, the quartet (rounded out by bassist Tony Ho and drummer Scott Miller) have defied convention with this release, seemingly working on a ‘nothing ruled out’ philosophy and in the process producing an eclectic but thoroughly cohesive collection of songs.

From the opening bruiser of ‘Road To Hell’ to the more introspective set-closer ‘It Won’t Be Long’ the band have created an enduring album with much to commend it. The album was largely recorded as live takes of the band playing together which adds to the authentic arrogance of some of the prime cuts (the footstompin’ ‘Call Out The Dogs’ springs to mind) as well as adding depth to lighter moments like ‘The Streets’ and ‘Come The Night’ (a tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins). Guns N’ Roses – who they’ve just played with at Hyde Park – are often used as a point of reference, but there’s also elements of Soundgarden in The Dust Coda’s sound, both in terms of expressive songwriting and Drake’s Cornell-esque delivery, together with the more reflective moments of Led Zeppelin.

In case you didn’t think they made bands like this any more, think again. The Dust Coda are an outfit with expansive horizons and a collective talent to match. Check them out on their upcoming club tour, which kicks off on 17 October in Southampton.

Video clips:
‘Road To Hell’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE0XxCQ5dkg

‘Fairweather Love’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7_RgBKsX60

‘Love Sick’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv5FA1CYxHg

John Tucker July 2023