The Murlocs fifth studio album, Bittersweet Demonsis out now! On the band’s most personal and boldly confident work yet,The Murlocs share a collection of songs reflecting on the people who leave a profound imprint on our lives, the saviours and hell-raisers and assorted other mystifying characters.
On their fifth album ‘Bittersweet Demons’, The Murlocs share a collection of songs reflecting on the people who leave a profound imprint on our lives, the saviors and hellraisers and assorted other mystifying characters. From the 11 infectious tracks emerges a beautifully complex body of work, one that shines a light on the fragilities of human nature while inducing the glorious head rush that accompanies any Murlocs outing.
While Austin, Texas has long been keeping things weird with a healthy psych-rock scene, the Australian city of Melbourne has been creeping up as the psych capital of the world in recent years. Although The Murlocs came up at the same time as groups like The Black Angels and Night Beats, the band has consistently been winning over more listeners as they benefit from the wild success of groups like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, with whom they have overlapping members.
As the release date for their latest album “Rapscallion” approaches, The Murlocs have never felt more comfortable amongst a growing scene of weirdo-psych bands matching the playful energy on full display in the group’s video for new single “Compos Mentis,” which sees each band member emerge from a trash can/trash bag as they jam the relatively restrained, fairly soulful, and immediately catchy track about vibing at the junkyard. “After a long day of truck stop fights, hitchhiking, and getting kicked off trains, our beloved rapscallion protagonist decides to spend the night in an abandoned junkyard,” vocalist Ambrose Kenny-Smith explains, setting up the clip. “Finding peace within the garbage that surrounds him, he begins to question his purpose in life and whether or not he’s in control of his own mind.”
The Murlocs fifth studio album, Bittersweet Demonsis dropping June 25th! On the band’s most personal and boldly confident work yet,The Murlocs share a collection of songs reflecting on the people who leave a profound imprint on our lives, the saviours and hell-raisers and assorted other mystifying characters.Pre-order the Blue-Eyed Runner vinyl now in the ATO shop, shipping June 18th.
‘Eating At You’ is OUT NOW!! John Angus Stewart.Here’s a couple words for you about the meaning behind it all. “ It’s an ode to all the loveable train wrecks out there that have gone off the rails and keep going back for more. The never-ending vortex cycle. Some seem to never learn their lesson even when it smacks them right in the face constantly. It’s important to address these issues before disaster strikes and it’s too late. Never give up on your loved ones when they’re in need of a helping hand.”
“On their fifth album “Bittersweet Demons“, The Murlocs share a collection of songs reflecting on the people who leave a profound imprint on our lives: The saviours and hellraisers and assorted other mystifying characters. From the 11 infectious tracks emerges a beautifully complex body of work, one that shines a light on the fragilities of human nature while inducing the glorious head rush that accompanies any Murlocs outing.”
From The Murlocs new album “Bittersweet Demons” out June 25, 2021
The Murlocs have announced their fifth studio album, “Bittersweet Demons”, to be released June 25th, 2021! On the band’s most personal and boldly confident work yet,TheMurlocs share a collection of songs reflecting on the people who leave a profound imprint on our lives, the saviours and hell-raisers and assorted other mystifying characters.
New Murlocs We are thrilled to announce The Murlocs will be released on June 25th on ATO Records. Watch the official clip for the new single “Francesca”, out now,
“Francesca” was written as a celebration of the life of frontman Ambrose Kenny-Smith’s mom. With music written by Murlocs’ keyboard and guitarist Tim Karmouche, Ambrose says of the lyrics, “The song is about my mother and how she had been lost for love since the separation from my father when I was 10.
In the last year and a half or so, she’s found love again, with a very close family friend of ours, someone who has always been a godfather and mentor to me in many ways. This has changed her spirit immensely for the better. You can really see the pop in her step as this enormous weight has been lifted off her shoulders.” Citing some of his favourite songs as being odes to impressive women―like Van Morrison’s “Gloria”― Ambrose explains, “Francesca is my mother’s middle name and I’ve always loved it so much.” Of turning his song writing lens to his mother, and celebrating her rediscovered joie de vivre, he adds, “It’s probably the most positive, feel-good song we’ve ever done. It’s also the closest we’ve ever come to having an 80s phase.”
Directed by Alex McLaren, the “Francesca” video was shot at the end of April 2020. The band’s hometown of Melbourne, Australia was coming out of one of its first COVID lockdown periods and restrictions had eased for a short period of time. The band and director quickly jumped on the opportunity to shoot while they had the chance.
Says Ambrose, “I remembered being at a festival and bumping into our longtime video-clip collaborator and friend, Alex Mclaren. I had brought him back to our campsite and he played the song “I Love LA” by Randy Newman which ultimately brought the tents down and got the party started.” Newman’s 1983 classic soft-top music video informed “Francesca”, with the car footage being shot along Ivanhoe Boulevard in Melbourne where Ambrose’s mom grew up.
“Bittersweet Edition”•Limited-edition of 500••Tangerine, black and white colored vinyl. A-side/B-side effect• Blue Eyed Runner Edition” White vinyl with baby blue splatter, Custom inner-sleeve and lyrics insert
Five fellas with roots firmly placed in their own blown-out, distorted demented dance party brand of soulful RnB. Formed in the end of November 2010 and originally from the coastal town of Ocean Grove the group has since gone on to play such music festivals as Meredith, Queenscliffe, Boogie and Falls. As well as supporting such acts as Gary Clarke Junior, Mac Demarco, Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, The Pixies, Earthless, Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, Wavves and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
The Murlocs performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded April 15th, 2019.
Flightless heroes The Murlocs are extremely excited to announce their fourth album ‘Manic Candid Episode’ is out today! It’s been a long time between drinks but Uncle Murl is at the peak of his powers from travelling his deliciously dangerous, distorted and dynamic RnB to packed houses around the world.
Five skinny kids with roots firmly placed in their own blown-out, distorted brand of soulful RnB.
Formed in early 2011 by harp player Ambrose Kenny-Smith, The Murlocs have already played alongside Thee Oh Sees, Graveyard Train and Dave Graney.
Their up-tempo snare cracks and noisy doom guitar – accompanied by Ambrose’s vocal screech – has been described as a mesmerising demented dance party.
To celebrate the release the band have announced a Massive five state, six date Australian tour taking them to Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Flightless darlings and bluesy garage misfits The Murlocs are cookin up another fresh batch of charmers down under. Ambrose Kenny-Smith and the boys are calling this fourth full-length Manic Candid Episode. Chances are good that there will be a heaping supply of harmonicas.
There are two variants, both limited to 2000 each. Check those out below, watch the videos and then saunter through that ‘buy’ portal for some of that tasty wax. Watch out for that razor sharp shipping charge though. She’s a doozy.
This is the official pressing of the ‘Manic Candid Episode’ the 4th full length LP from The Murlocs. Released March 22nd, 2019
Flightless Records family members The Murlocs have returned with their first slice of new music since 2017. Presenting you Comfort Zone; four minutes of pure madness!
Five fellas with roots firmly placed in their own blown-out, distorted demented dance party brand of soulful RnB. Formed in the end of November 2010 and originally from the coastal town of Ocean Grove the group has since gone on to play such music festivals as Meredith, Queenscliffe, Boogie and Falls. As well as supporting such acts as Gary Clarke Junior, Mac Demarco, Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, The Pixies, Earthless, Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, Wavves and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
Band Members
Cal Shortal,
Ambrose Kenny Smith,
Matt Blach,
Cook Craig,
Tim Karmouche,
Melbourne garage-rock quintet The Murlocs are back with new track and video “Noble Soldier”, which comes via Australian indie label Flightless Records. The group are mostly comprised of members from fellow Australian psychedelic rockers King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, meaning they’re pretty much two for two with regard to brilliantly ludicrous band names.
“Noble Soldier” garage-guitar amble recalls Shannon And The Clams or even some of the more restrained Reigning Sound stuff, while the brisk crackle of Ambrose Kenny Smith’s vocals allow the track to maintain its casual saunter.
The track also comes with an accompanying video, which features a deeply surreal take on fitness and plastic surgery.
Run, don’t walk. With our boys KG & the LG blowing up the way that they have it seems to give a rub to the other acts on Flightless, but especially the ones directly related to his majesty.
This is their third LP, and their last one sells for stupid amounts now. Like I said, FOMO is real.
Their last record was a great discourse on the trappings of Australian psychedelic rock that was steeped long and hot in American soul and r&b and it was just so, so amazing.
Our new album ‘Old Locomotive’ will be released on July 28th, 2017 onFlightless Records
The Fat Angel Sings 