Billiam returns - darker, weirder and even more catchy on sophomore LP Animation Cell
Naarm/Melbourne egg-punk sensation Billiam is back with another record packed with lo-fi rock n’ roll. Dropping Friday 9/8, Animation Cell is a non-stop multi-coloured punk odyssey.
Having played in several different bands within Naarm’s tight-knit punk scene, Billy has been doing this for a while. With stints in Disco Junk, Lothario, Verminator and more - folks from Last Chance all the way to Singing Bird have grown to know his name.
Creating DIY lo-fi tracks under Billiam, Billy Twyford has been saturating the scene since at least 2020.
Dozens of EPs, cassingles, 7” records and more culminated last year in Billiam’s long awaited full-length debut Corner Tactics - a record full of stories, geeky references and incredibly catchy choruses, the release was a big success both within and outside of the egg-punk scene.
With steady radio play, national tours and big supports a plenty - not to mention a European tour commencing next month - Billiam is getting ready for the next chapter, starting with sophomore release Animation Cell.
@billiamofbilliam Animation Cell (out 9/8 through @leglessrecords @erstetheketontraeger @sludgepeople) Cover art by @ohnosam
The record is a 16-track, under 30-odd minute blast.
Opening with the title track, Billy teases out the looney tunes energy shown in the cover art. Punchy drums, crunchy and chorused guitars, the song is pretty much an opening title or theme song to a yet-to-be-produced Billiam movie.
Scorching in with typical screaming, the following tracks Maneater Three and Emotions deliver the classic Billiam themes of anxiety and rage.
Surprising poppy ear candy comes in Protect The Emerald - an amazing guitar riff makes the whole song such a mesmerising vibe, reminding listeners of XTC or New Order but still within the Billiam egg-punk brand.
Speedy anthem Bash My Head Against A Myki Pole translates the feelings of all Melbournians on the commute, while singles My Metronome and Maid Dress are guaranteed to be stuck in your head until the next Billiam hit takes their place.
Matinee Show begins with a hilarious sample of Jamie Lee Curtis while oddity The Fog opens with a terrifying alarm that definitely sounds sampled from Call of Duty - both songs set hilarious tones before any riffs are played.
All instruments are recorded by Billiam - excepting a few drum tracks here and there - and the album also features a few guest appearances of band members on skits between tracks and closing out the record.
Favourites include aforementioned Protect The Emerald and Bash My Head Against A Myki Pole as well as closing track Shawn Kerri’s Grave - sounding like a creepy Creedence Clearwater Revival or The Doors song under attack by an 8-bit monster - fucking classic Billiam stuff.
Overall a fantastic follow-up LP - Billiam is pretty much unstoppable at this point, so join the cult already.
Check out the album when it drops 9/8 here.
Make sure to check out the album launch at the Tote the same day, joined by his brilliant band @splitbillsofbilliam along with support from @thegoochpalms, @dumbpunts, @scudsmells, and @djkolesradio.
Grab tickets here.
Photos by Mitch Gibson-Kingdom @gucci.lil.piggy