For a lot of artists, the title of their record pretty secondary – just think up some catchy words or a phrase that sounds cool, agree on something, then you can pretty much forget about it. Do you think The Beatles researched firearms when they made Revolver? Did Marvin Gaye ever look into what was actually “going on”? Did Silverchair bother to familiarise themselves with a real Neon Ballroom? The answer is no, which is why Polish Club’s dedication to their new album Iguana is so commendable.
Named after an infamous King’s Cross bar, the record is much like a night out in the former hotspot for partying; a gritty ride that traces ecstatic highs and moments of heartbreak. It’s full of classic PC riffery, huge vocal hooks, and danceable rhythms, and sees the duo masterfully walk that line between polished (no pun intended) indie-pop and headbanging rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7evMICRHu4
The boys haven’t just gone all out in writing and producing the record though, they’ve also gone to Taronga Zoo to learn everything they can about the iguanas. And why would they do this you ask? Because they’re thorough, that’s why. So pull up you’re favourite chair, sit quietly, and listen to Uncle Polish Club’s list of interesting iguana facts:
You think it’s cool that chameleons change colour to match their environment, well iguanas change colour when they are really up for a root.
Well it’s not an actual eye, but some kinda cluster of nerves on their forehead. But ya know what, it’s still a pretty cool fact.
It’s like over half their body length and can be used like a trolley pole if they get in a punch up with another lizard. They also do that freaky lizard thing where they can drop their tail and leg it.
Not sure why this is, but the reasoning for why we only got to hold a Fijian iguana, the keeper told us, is that the big boy green iguanas smell like shit. I’ll take her word for it.
They only eat plants, flowers, insects (does that still count as being vegan?) fruits and veg. They also only drink coffee they grind themselves, do pilates at lunch and believe in the healing power of crystals.
They lay in the sun all day and usually hit the same spot for food everyday, which is a lifestyle I can get behind.
When we called our second album “Iguana” we thought, Cool let’s just get a big filthy lookin’ iguana to take some photos for the cover. But it’s super illegal to own one in Australia cos they’re not native. You know what’s not illegal, the streaming of our new album, which if you haven’t gathered by now is called Iguana. It’s out now in the usual places.
Now that we know how sick Iguanas are, we have zero regrets naming our album after them, if we didn’t in fact name it after a bar.
Thanks Taronga Zoo for having us, we had a really great day :)
Polish Club are currently touring nationally – info here.