Punk rockers Drunk Mums give us the inside story on Urban Cowboy.

Having taken a bit of time out earlier in the year to work on new material, Melbourne’s Drunk Mums have returned in a big way. Their fourth album Urban Cowboy is 10 tracks of straight up rock that melds together elements of punk, garage and even country, resulting arguably in their finest work to date.

They even have a brand new clip for the albums title track, which the band says came from a unusual source of inspiration. “The idea of an ‘Urban Cowboy’ came from looking at a press photo of Justin Timberlake and tricking the guys into thinking that he’s done a country album. We filmed out the back of our mate Pablo’s house on a cold and windy day. Couldn’t be more proud of the clip; you can tell the weather didn’t stop us at all!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoYx5RTAtOA&feature=youtu.be

The quartet will also be hitting the road for a national tour with New York band Dirty Fences in this month (dates at page bottom).  And get the inside scoop on the record below tih Drunk Mums’ track-by-track for Urban Cowboy.

Phantom Limb (Adam) – I wrote this song about Dean’s mate who lost a leg in a motorbike accident. I always thought that it was strange that apparently people who go through this trauma feel a sensation that the missing limb is still attached. I wrote the lyrics and a basic chord structure in my head on the plane to Brisbane. When we got to the venue I smashed it out on guitar and Bob’s ya uncle. The end result is a punchy and frantic punk track. If you sped it up ya probably could turn it into a hardcore song.

Hellfire (Adam) – I actually wrote this song for another band I was briefly in called Desex. We never recorded anything and the band just fizzled out so I thought I should bring it to the Mums rather than let it die. In a sense the song is about masochism. With lyrics like “I wanna be sick! Gimme that rotten disease! Spewing up blood and guts, pour puss in my cuts.” Pretty sure I was listening to a lot of KBD punk for this one and thought it would be funny to write a song about getting off on being uncomfortable.

Order From Chaos (Adam) – I think this is the last one I wrote for the album. It comes blazing out with a heavy riff and turns the other cheek into a pop hit. I had a lot of fun playing with my vocals by doing a lower style that I’ve only used one other time for our track ‘Hot Flush’. This song is a response to conformity, the rat race and structure. All things that I’ve always tried to avoid in my life. First line says it all. “And I’m waiting in the line, just waiting to die”. Sounds bleak but it’s true isn’t it?

You Got It (Jake) – Wrote this one while having a jam with Steve from MESA COSA. It’s about falling head over heels for someone and I guess it’s the closest thing to a love song I’ve written, 7 out of 10.

Urban Cowboy (Dean) – The song is a mix of styles drawing from Rod Stewart, T Rex, and AC/DC. A song about love and how a true urban cowboy (or cowgirl) shouldn’t try be so tough – it’s supposed to be light hearted and a bit of stupid fun really.

Roll With The Punches (Jake) – Needed some more songs for the album so decided to head down to our regular rehearsal place Kindred Studios. This is where I wrote ‘RWTP’. Inspired by the band The Saints, the lyrics are about talking someone out of a tough time and letting them know that tomorrow’s another day and bad times always pass.

Borderline (Adam) – Oh boy. When we were touring Europe we got pulled over by the cops. They made our tour manager piss in a cup in public, they found traces of opiates in his system (which were later found to be codeine because he was sick and taking medication). They arrested him and took him to the police station, we had no idea where he was for a good hour and half maybe? I freaked out, had a panic attack & vomited in the street. When we eventually found him we had to bail him out, soon as we did we drove straight to the borderline. Munich stinks. That’s what this song is about.

Asthmatic (Jake) – This song has been hanging round for a while and has been played by Wod, Dumb Punts and Crimewave. Can’t remember how I wrote it or what I was thinking. I don’t even have asthma.

Rockin’ All Night (Jake) – This song is all about good times and partying. I really like the AC/DC break down in the song just feels right when it drops. Not my favourite song I’ve written but keen to see how it goes played live.

Ripper (Adam) – I’m a complete bastard about this, but music from the past is way better than what’s happening now. I wrote this song as a wake up call to people. Everything is force fed, there’s no sense of adventure. The only way to find out about music back in the day was to trade, look through catalogues or get recommendations from friends. YOU HAVE THE INTERNET. If you think rock n roll is just the stones or the beatles or whatever washed up, overplayed and overrated nonsense then try harder! Constantly search, you’ll be so surprised. Don’t let music fall in your lap. Four different bands from the past influenced me heavily on this song, if you know which ones, hit me up.