Pigeonholed In a Fever Dream — Melbourne Post-Punk Outfit screensaver Soar in Their Video for “Permanence”

Imagine the world through the eyes of a humble house cat or a feral pigeon. These creatures navigate parallel realms defined by survival and simplicity, often seen by humans as mere pets or pests. The house cat, confined to domestic routines, experiences curiosity and caution. The feral pigeon, soaring through urban chaos, lives a dance of freedom and peril. A mysterious spark draws them into a shared moment of intrigue, a silent interplay of stealth and agility in a park.

This is the theme behind the delightful video for Permanence, the blistering single from Melbourne post-punkers screensaver: a burst of raw energy with fierce guitars, relentless drums, and rumbling synths, all punctuated by spitfire vocals. The verses simmer with intensity, giving way to a commanding chorus tinged with glam pop flair. Lyrically, it delves into themes of repetition, unreachable goals, and constant obstacles. The song’s frustration is palpable, perfectly mirrored by its musical ferocity. Recorded and mixed by guitarist Christopher Stephenson, and mastered by Mikey Young, it stands as a powerful expression of pent-up emotion and unyielding spirit.

In Permanence, screensaver—comprising Christopher Stephenson, Krystal Maynard, James Beck, Dorian Vary, and Jonnine Nokes—explores the nature of existence in a world driven by material desires. Their music reflects the ceaseless quest for novelty and perfection, set against the backdrop of a society obsessed with superficial gains and corporate control. Beneath the surface, a darker reality emerges, revealing a world hungry for dominance and financial success, exposing the stark contrasts between appearances and underlying truths.

“It can be hard to capture the live energy of a song in recorded form, but I think we’ve done that well with Permanence,” says Krystal Maynard. “I particularly love the abrasiveness of the verse juxtaposed against the more melodic glam pop chorus. It’s a favourite in our live set, so it’s nice to be able to replicate the intensity in the recording.”

In the video, director and drummer James Beck, along with editor Camryn Rothenbury, invites us into a curious world where animal lives are stranger than we ever imagined. Here, a singular mission is shrouded in secrecy, involving a mysterious black book, a feathered adversary, and a giant baguette. These anthropomorphic creatures navigate their peculiar existence against the backdrop of human life.

Shot in a retro 4:3 ratio with vintage Canon lenses from the ’70s and ’80s, the clip conjures an atmosphere of nostalgia and oddity. Permanence unfolds like a fever dream stitched together on a modest budget. It’s a chaotic ride through the suburban streets of Melbourne, with a visual style that echoes the offbeat framing of Sam Raimi, the weirdness of Blow-Up, blended with the faded charm of early ’90s indie films. Influences from shows like The Young Ones and The Ferals permeate the scenes.

It’s also just plain goofy. Two claws up. Watch the video below:

Listen to Permanence below or order here.

screensaver has released two full-length albums: Expressions of Interest (2021) and Decent Shapes (2023). The latter came out as a split release on Poison City Records (AUS) and Upset the Rhythm (UK) and extended on the band’s blend of synth-driven post-punk replete with elements of krautrock, dance-punk, new wave, and electronica established on their debut.

In 2021, the band delivered their 10-track debut album Expressions of Interest. Just six months after the release of their debut album, the band returned with a double A-side 7-inch single, Clean Current/Repeats. Off the back of these two releases, screensaver embarked on a 12-date tour of the USA in September 2022, playing Gonerfest 19 and making their way across the Midwest, South, and East Coast. The band is now primed to finally get to Europe and the UK for the first time in August 2024.

Catch screensaver play a final send-off show at the Old Bar in their hometown of Melbourne on July 13 before they head to Europe, with support from Body Maintenance, Armour, and Lothario. Tickets available here.

EUROPEAN AND UK DATES

• August 2, Berlin, DE – OGH
• August 3, Warsaw, PL – Chmury
• August 4, Krakow, PL – Stakkato
• August 7, Dresden, DE – Ostpol
• August 9, Mannheim, DE – JUZ
• August 10, Antwerp, BE – Antwerp Music City
• August 12, Bristol, UK – Exchange Basement
• August 14, London, UK – Café Oto
• August 15, Oxford, UK – The Library
• August 16, Newcastle, UK – The Lubber Fiend
• August 17, Glasgow, UK – Old Hairdressers
• August 22, Sheffield, UK – Delicious Clam
• August 23, Nottingham, UK – JT Soar
• August 24, London, UK – New River Studios
• August 26, Brussels, BE – Le Chaff
• August 28, Paris, FR – Le Cirque Electrique
• August 30, Groningen, NL – Vera
• August 31, Hamburg, DE – Get Lost Festival

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