On their 2023 EP, Taxi Girls packed a whole world of distorted and punky riffs into a little over eleven minutes. Sometimes sounding like a Frankenstein creation made from the best elements of Bully, The Soviettes and Shampoo, the material valued abrasiveness over finesse, but every one of those EP tracks served up a fantastic sound from the crossroads of indie and garage punk.
This double shot manages to stir up similar levels of excitement. ‘Rainy’, at least at first, sounds a little more sedate than most of the EP tunes. By delivering a mid tempo, drum heavy arrangement, it shows Taxi Girls at their most melodic, but pay closer attention and you’ll discover a number with just as much fire. The guitar work, in particular, bring an edge to the arrangement, mixing a clanging tone with a rhythmic toughness, in a manner that has an unexpected influence from rockabilly. For those who love Taxi Girls in a noisier mood should still delight in the presence of shrill lead sound which cuts through everything. Then, there’s a great vocal. Jamie Radu and Vera Bozickovic come together in a way that accentuates the band’s sense of force, on a sing-shout hook that sells a great chorus. It could be argued that this feels a little more sophisticated than the EP tracks, but at the same time, it has the kind of fury you’ll already associate with Taxi Girls at their best.
Even better, ‘The Lion’s Share’ kicks off with a classic garage rock riff, allowing the guitars to work a really dirty tone. Lynn Poulin’s drums dictate a superb tempo and as the grubby garage punk sounds gain momentum, there’s another rough and ready vocal that showcases both a knack for grit and retro melodies. Hitting a simple chorus – one that very much invites singing along and influence from the much-missed Soviettes in the driving seat for a punky middle eight, which (whether intentionally, or not), gives Taxi Girls the kind of tough-edged sound that could be considered timeless.
There isn’t always much in the way of sheer originality here, but these recordings have a vigour and power that brings a musical thrill with immediate effect. Recycling some classic influences and adding a contemporary punch, this pair of numbers are every bit as good as the previous EP, and the material suggests even better things ahead. On the strength of this release, Taxi Girls could find themselves among your new favourite bands.
February 2025