KISSCHASY stand tall as one of the most successful and beloved Australian rock acts of the 00’s, and it is with equal parts great excitement and heavy hearts that the band announce their final tour, scheduled for this October. Giving some extra punch to this farewell excursion, the band are thrilled to announce they’ll be celebrating the ten year anniversary of their hit debut LP ‘United Paper People’ by playing the record in full, alongside other crowd faves.
Now, it is time to farewell the band, with band members occupied with various other projects, both personal and professional. Still, Kisschasy are truly one of Australian pop-punk’s landmark acts; insatiable on-stage, adaptable and always emotive in the studio. Do not miss this final tour. There will be sing-alongs. Loud and clear.
Here’s a throwback to a CD Review by Mary Boukouvalas of KISSCHASY’s 2005 release, United Paper People (Below Par).
Kisschasy’s United Paper People is a true testament to what three power chords and sweet melodies can achieve. Though young in age, Mornington Peninsula lads -Darren “Daz” Cordeux on vocals/guitar, Sean Thomas on guitars, Joel Vanderuit on bass, and Karl Ammitzboll on drums- have shown maturity and development in attitude and skill. Their debut album, United Paper People, is pop with rock/punk core, and follows on from two successful EPs, all on indie label Below Par. Recorded and produced by Phillip McKellar (Silverchair, Grinspoon) in Sydney, the album was then mixed with Barrett Jones (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Evermore) in Seattle –his influence especially obvious in the title track.
The album is full of exactly what the catchy opener states: The Do Do’s and Whoa-ohs. However, what initially appears as straightforward, cutesy pop includes themes and lyrics with a touch of irony and quirkiness. The fun, fast rockin’ With Friends Like You Who Needs Friends?, has Whoa-ohs absorbed into a song about a controlling, possessive relationship. While guitar laden What We Become has Whoh-oh- ohs amid C’mon, get up, get out your guns, it’s all we’ve got and the catchy Ione Skye hits hard against conceit and arrogance with: You’d look better if I was blind and Let me know the next time you’ll be there so I can stay home. The forceful grunge-rock United Paper People includes lyrics: My organs are on the table and you were the first to ask for more you, whilst the romantic This Bed includes: I wish I could take your face and stitch it onto all their faces. The macabre ballad Black Dress, with its ethereal piano and strings, and Whoa-ohs amongst a tale of lost love and grief: I dug you up and took you home. In a bizarre finale, the sorrow overwhelms: I’ll carry you back to your grave where you and I will always stay. I close the casket, it gets dark they’ll find us in each others arms.
United Paper People leaves you tapping your feet and clicking your fingers, and basically admiring the complexity of what seemingly is just an album of pop-rock songs.
First published in BEAT magazine, 2005.