For many bands and musicians, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was hugely disruptive: at best, an enforced hiatus broken only by embracing alternative modes of creativity; at worst, the end of bands and individual careers.
For Melbourne post-punk/new wave five-piece Delivery, which launches its debut album Forever Giving Handshakes at the Barwon Club Friday (January 13), it was just the beginning.
For guitarist/vocalist James Lynch and his partner, bassist/vocalist Bec Allan, the project was simply a way to stay creative while in lockdown.
“It started as kind of a bedroom project to pass the time; we weren’t really planning to make a proper band out of it,” Lynch said.
“But then one thing led to another. The album has come off the back of that first music we made at home, with drum machines and a tiny little practice amp and a lot of synths straight into the computer.
“But as soon as we had the opportunity to not just be a band that makes songs in their bedroom, we jumped at it.”
Though recorded in the humble surrounds of a rented rehearsal space, Forever Giving Handshakes has a classy, individual sound characterised by angular guitar riffs, warm synth lines, changing time signatures and a diverse range of vocals from four of the band’s five members.
Lynch said that each band member brought their own musical tastes and sounds, as well as voices, to the outfit.
“From the start, Bec and I come from relatively different musical backgrounds; I’ve played in garage bands with a bit more of a pop focus, and she’s played in some heavier punk bands,” he said.
“So one of our aims from the start was to make Delivery fuse those two sides together. And then when the band expanded we set the tone that if anyone wanted to bring a song in, they were singing it.
“So Lisa (Rashleigh) and Sam (Harding), who both play guitar in the band, both stepped up pretty quickly, and now we all share that (vocal) responsibility. It makes it really fun and keeps the show interesting when you can swap it around like that.
“The point of Delivery is just enjoying rocking out. Lots of guitar solos, lots of big moments, high energy fun, rock and roll.”
Delivery will be supported by local punk royalty Vintage Crop and Alien Nosejob.
