Altsounds - Kasms - Male Bonding [Single]

As purveyors of their very own sound (‘Shriekbeat’ in their own words), vernal London four-piece Kasms arrive with some goods that need delivering but “Male Bonding” only makes it as far as the end of your street and not quite ‘right up it’. Siouxsie Soux comparisons are inevitable for singer Rachel Mary Callaghan but the guitars are pulled from 80’s Matchbox (of tricks), making for an interesting blend.

There’s an overriding feeling of ‘something missing’ though, and whilst it works on some levels, it’s certainly not their finest hour (‘Bone You’ from their debut album Spayed probably takes that honour). At two and a half minutes it just doesn’t pack enough into its short life. B-side “Kids” is a more chaotic affair, with clumsy off-kilter guitars and a lack of any real melody or hook. It’s a B-side alright.

There could be better introductions to the band, and thankfully this wasn’t mine, but there would be enough here to perk interest at least. Based on this evidence the kids are alright.