The grunge scene never intended to be a star-filled multiverse, that was just how the dice fell. Bands like Tad, Pearl Jam and the Meat Puppets grew organically, gestating in their own time and on their own terms, rather than being forced through a high octane marketing engine. Therein, unsurprisingly, lay the appeal; in a parallel to the punk movement in the UK, genetically created through the troubles in Northern Ireland via bands like The Undertones, this was music that had self-assembled. It was rough at the edges, full of ‘slackers'(despite the work ethic of the bands involved), and reverberated with the twitchy, explosive boredom of the youth that spawned it.
However, grunge inadvertently came to be tied forever in the public consciousness through plaid, ripped denim and Nevermind, though its story was a deep, inventive and fascinating one. Bands like Soundgarden brought time shifts and unconventional tunings to the fore, while Butthole Surfers provided the swivel-eyed madness.
Cable 35 are enthralled by this incredible period in music, particularly Bleach-era Nirvana, Surfer Rosa Pixies and early Weezer. The whole Fungus EP has a charming, fried, likeable quality to it, a charm from a lost time. With 7 tracks in 19 minutes, this is shorter than a single Dream Theatre song, and with none of the pretence.
Opener Sanitation and immediate follow-up Andy Shakes could have come straight from the garage; certainly the footage supplied by the band on their site would back this theory. With fuzzed out bass, thumping drums and juddering, loose-tie guitar, only the production’s slight modern sheen indicates that this is from this century. Props to the drum sound for being so on the money for this style-nothing is missed.
There are plenty of curveballs in the material – this is by no means a 4/4 march to the finish. Spinach and recent release Rental Sunshine bob and weave like migrating birds. Stoned, grinning birds, but birds nonetheless. Interestingly, the songs don’t begin to catch properly until you’re a few listens in, and because of the bands’ dynamic grasp, the EP’s scant 19 minute run time feels a lot longer. Standout track Coconut Supply, is, to this writer at least, a deeply enjoyable romp through the grungian hinterlands.
Everything about Cable35 is charming and likeable. Though they are very, very much a grunge band in the purest sense – subscribing to its ethos and associated imagery – they are extremely good at it, and highly listenable. In no way does it paint itself into a corner by being called Fungus and having a track called Boznich, though this may be untrue.
If you were ever seduced by the slacker set, or find yourself drinking from a milk carton wearing your older brothers cast-offs, this is the band for you. Go and see them on their mammoth upcoming tour, which runs from the 6th of April til the 22nd of June. Properly good, the Maltese trio have personality and a little something extra; character.