Australian ’80s influenced hard rockers SISTER SWITCHBLADE formed in Perth, Western Australia in 2017. Founded by vocalist / rhythm guitarist Andy Smith following the dissolution of his previous band, Babyjane, Sister Switchblade burst onto the world’s hard rock radar with the critically acclaimed debut album.
Described as a blend of ’80s era Sunset Strip meets classic Australian rock n’ roll, the band built a solid reputation for their high energy live shows and in 2019 unleashed their sophomore album. The global pandemic saw the band take a hiatus for a few years.
2024 – SISTER SWITCHBLADE are back armed with their third album ”Don’t Try This At Home”, with 12 rocking tracks driven by riffy grooves and catchy choruses, including an acoustic take on the Babyjane classic ‘Are You Listening’.
Managed by themselves, SISTER SWITCHBLADE play the music they want to. ”Don’t Try This At Home” is uncompromising, melting classic hard with tons of attitude. A blend of Guns N’ Roses and Tesla first 1987 albums, Motley Crue and Aerosmith circa 1989, and some of that characteristic Aussie sound – this rocks hard.
One remarkable thing to mention about this album is the killer guitar work, with swirling 6-string runs all over the songs – think Zakk Wylde’s Ozzy-era style of hot licks.
Yeah, Andy Smith isn’t the best vocalist in the world, but his singing perfectly fits the songs he wrote. And he’s a darn good rhythm guitarist too. Hard rock isn’t all about guitar solos – a strong rhythm makes a difference. And paired with the kick ass lead guitar work, the songs on ”Don’t Try This At Home” kill.
SISTER SWITCHBLADE’s music is like every classic hard rock band, ever – but you know what, this rules. And it rules because it doesn’t give a shit that it’s all been done before. Sister Switchblade know. They just fancied a crack at it too.
Sister Switchblade know they will never be the critic’s darlings. There’s always some po-faced prick who’d rather pretend they like ‘groundbreaking rock’ than actually enjoy something. ”Don’t Try This At Home” is for the other people. People who likes to be amused by a good, true rock ‘n roll riff, played from the heart.
One of the best sleazy hard rock records in a long time…
Highly Recommended
01 – The Gloves Are Off
02 – Get Down Stay Down
03 – I Smell a Rat
04 – Dead to Me
05 – 24 Hours in the Hole
06 – Like Dominos
07 – Electric Angel
08 – Finger on the Trigger
09 – Don’t Tell Me What to Do
10 – What a Way to Go
11 – Something Wicked
12 – Are You Listening?
Andy Smith – lead vocals, guitar
Dylan Gallant – lead guitar
Simon Brown – bass, gang vocals
Adam Bannister – drums, gang vocals