I got my hands on a copy of the yet to be released Kicks album titled "We are The Kicks". It has many tracks that I recognise from their live set - I've been to most of their gigs since they've been gigging heavily over the last year or so.

Zoezac is the singer and lead guitarist sporting the dirtiest guitar sound I have heard from a Hobart band in a long time. Matt Ward plays bass, Michael Dread on drums. All seven of the songs on this CD are catchy and short, no longer than three and a half minutes per song. This is a good thing because I love pop music, especially when it is as catchy as this.

They describe their music as new wave - Hard Rockin' - Girl Inspired - Folk - Grunge.

When I first heard the track "hello" from their live set I had it stuck in my head for weeks, and it is a huge standout track from the EP. After repeated listens I realised there were better songs on it like "fun thing" which annoyed the crap out of me when I first heard it on Edge Radio. It annoyed me so much that it is now my favourite Kicks song, much better than "hello".

Lyrics like "you dance like a Tasmanian", remind me of how good Tasmanian bands can be, and it's patriotically comforting. "Be brave" is the last song on the EP. The intro to it is quite dark and experimental. It suggests their song writing is developing in a slightly different direction.

Sirens is a new venue in Hobart. I have been to many gigs there already including the last Cluster, and before that the Enola Fall CD launch.

This venue only sounds good for bands when there is a good PA and hundreds of of people absorbing the echo created in the massive space. The Art School Ball was filled with hundreds of people so the sound wasn't a problem for bands and DJs on this sick night of debauchery.

I arrived on time just as the Kicks had started. Lead singer Zoezac was wearing a red gown. Their bass player Matt had damaged his hand before the gig but was managing to keep it together. Heaps of people were up and dancing. Everyone was dressed for this occasion, and even undressed in some cases (undies runner).

Female performance artists were dangling on ropes from the cieling, and everyone else was in fine form. I recognised most of The Kicks songs because I'd been listening to their up and coming CD heaps before the gig.

I really enjoyed their set.

There is such a thing as a punk band that is not so much about being in peoples faces as they are about being naked.

Before you get too excited, I'm meaning metaphorical nudity here kids.

The Music is stripped down and raw, with the excitement provided by the A-grade rock and glam singer perfectly supported by a fantastic new-wave rhythm section. The new rock explosion starts right here.

The Kicks are gigging like crazy, and could implode at any moment - get in there fast, punters!