Photo by Nicole Reed
Melbourne/Naarm post-punk outfit screensaver are back with a fantastic new double a-side single featuring the songs “Clean Current” and “Repeats”.
The synth-driven group, citing influences from music made in that sweet spot between 1977 to 1982, is comprised of Christopher Stephenson on guitar/synth, Krystal Maynard on vocals/synth, Giles Fielke on bass/synth, and James Beck on drums.
The result of their collaborative efforts is a sound that authentically captures the sound of the new wave era, alluding to elements of Bush Tetras, Nun, Gang of Four, The Stranglers, Lene Lovich, and various European acts.
The first track on the 7-inch single, “Clean Current”, sounds like an unearthed cut from Stiff Record’s late 70s catalog, launches into its charming and frenetic whirl of guitar, bass, and old-school synths, led by Maynard snarling lo-fi vocal bite.
“Repeats”, the second song on the 7-inch, is more thoughtful and danceable by comparison, capturing the old-school romance of French coldwave perfectly as Maynard romantically warbles over classic-sounding post-punk drums, guitars, and buzzing synths.
Listen to both tracks below:
After spending three years in an incubatory state, screensaver began as a trans-Pacific collaboration between Christopher Stephenson (Spray Paint/Exek) and Krystal Maynard (Bad Vision/ex Polo) in 2016.
By 2019 Christopher had relocated to Melbourne and the pair recruited Giles Fielke (ex LowTide) and James Beck (Personal Touch/ex Rat Columns) on bass and drums. The band began playing locally in late 2019 and made a short run in the US opening shows for Wiccans and Timmy’s Organism. Despite the restrictions in Melbourne due to Covid-19, in 2020 the band produced their debut single “Strange Anxiety”. This was followed up with “Living In An Instant”, an agitated post-punk track that featured on Blow Blood Records’ ALTA 2 (A Long Time Alone) compilation.
“Clean Current” and “Repeats” are a fitting follow-up screensaver’s 2021 full-length Expressions Of Interest.
Find the limited edition fluorescent yellow 7-inch single pressed by indie label Upset the Rhythm via screensavers Bandcamp page here.
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