Germinator bring the heat on self titled debut
Meanjin/Brisbane DIY garage rock trio Germinator have just dropped their self-titled debut. Blending psychedelia, punk and stoner rock on 10 hard hitting tracks, the record is as inspiring as it is energetic.
Formed during the peak of pandemic life, Germinator is the brainchild of singer/guitarist Hayden Smit. Joined by Caleb Wilson on bass and Wade Viers on drums, the band equal parts Tame Impala and early Silverchair - holding heavier tendencies, along with summery delay-drenched psychedelia.
Opening with brilliant tone setter Seventh Dimension, the record begins with eastern drones, discordant synths and heavy riffs. Distant vocals soar over massive layered guitars, and the trip begins. Very much reminiscent of Tame Impala’s 2012 release Lonerism in the best of ways.
Grunge-esq harmonies carry the verse second track Follow the Unknown into a massive chorus. Embracing the classic sonic approach of soft-loud-soft popularised by Pixies and mastered by Nirvana, the band wear the inferences on their sleeves.
Smit’s lyrical prowess is on full display on psych-punk rocker Thumb on the Scale - a classic Aussie rock sound mad huge. The bridge and solo are particularly juicy, with a powerful performance from drummer Wade Viers.
Naturalistic themes grow on Garden, a slower jam sitting near the middle of the record - but the real highlight is Window, a bona fide riff machine. You can smell the summer in the air when this track is played loud. Very much giving Wolfmother, the enormity of the Germinator’s energy on this one is not to be ignored.
First single from this album cycle Californium finds the band stripping it back again with another mix of soft-loud-soft approaches, and catchy as hell.
Dope pentatonic bass riffs lead into penultimate track Control, before the band pays their dues on finale Goodbye. Probably my favourite song in the LP, Goodbye is a singalong show stopper with a nonstop build-up and satisfying payoff.
Overall an absolutely rocking, short but sweet release. Germinator are clearly a killer trio and play like a band in their prime - tearing it up on their respective instruments, and displaying focus and chemistry like none other.
With a debut like this, there’s no doubt that whatever is coming next is gonna rock our worlds.
Check out the record here.