Hugo Stranger & The Rattlers return with not one but two new tracks. ‘Go, Rattlers, Go,’ an energetic surf rock classic, will see a spooky Halloween release on October 31, with ‘Set Me Free’ to follow on the airwaves on November 4.
The band will also play a double set show at West End’s The Bearded Lady from 2pm on Sunday 17 November.
The two tracks continue an eclectic, genre-defined mix of music from the Brisbane/Meanjin 4-piece band – a homage to surf, blues, rock and roll and everything in between. Singer and writer Tom Harrison said it was a joy to record Go, Rattlers, Go, a direct nod to surf music. “It sort of started as more of a jam and warm-up song in rehearsals,” he said. “It was great to bring it back to those origins, and develop it further with this second part I had in my head. We spent some time trying to flesh that out and we’re really happy with what we’ve got, kind of like a contemporary Link Wray sound.”
Expect to hear everything you want from a track of its kind, with crunchy guitar cutting through heavy tom fills and driving basslines.
Set Me Free is more contemplative, musically and lyrically, with themes centred around redemption and being more present to those around you. “I guess it’s about wanting to be better. Knowing and being self conscious that you haven’t been,” Tom reflected. A catchy riff keeps things moving into each verse, with bell-like tones on lead guitar from newer addition to the band, Jaim. Chris, on bass guitar, is even newer to the band after playing a handful of shows in 2024. He is reunited with the drummer, Kyle, after the two played in surf psych fusion band The Shakeouts for several years.
The bulk of the studio work on the two tracks was recorded live at Alchemix Studios. Nell Forster, continues her work with the band after mixing their debut album, ‘Against The Tide’.
Hugo Stranger & The Rattlers erupted onto the scene in late 2018, and were quick to make waves becoming well known for their high energy shows with mixes of 60s surf pop, blues and spaghetti western sounds that drew crowds onto the dance floor. They have played shows in many of Brisbane’s most loved venues as well as a string of
festivals in recent years, such as Mitchell Creek Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Fest, Rock Beats Depression, the Gold Coast Show, Tide: Redlands Coast Islands Festival and Beach Sounds Music Festival in Mackay.
Go, Rattlers, Go will be released on October 31
Set Me Free will be released on November 4
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