Great Australian Bank are smashing through this year, releasing one massive single after the next. Making waves with their own brand of unapologetic Australian flavoured post-punk, 2024 has already seen the band drop the excellent ‘In Your Eyes’ and ‘What They Did’. Now comes ‘Don’t Call Me’, the third single from their upcoming debut album due later this year. Expect thumping drums, commanding guitars, and crushing vocals, all delivered with the guts and conviction of a band with something to prove. And while the song has power, it remains decidedly melodic, and it’s this duality that helps define the band.
This is not music to be taken lightly. This is music to be taken seriously, music with purpose and strength.
“A lot of our songs’ subject matter emerges from a dual fascination and frustration with the fabricated idea of so-called ‘Australia’ in contrast with its violent, colonial history and what it means to exist in its contemporary aftermath. We take aim at how white cultural narratives have effectively served as proponents of nationalism, capitalism, and racism.”
Tass Coomber, Great Australian Bank
While formed in Melbourne in 2019, the band originally consisted of an all-Tassie expat line-up. Vocalist Tass Coomber moved to Naarm after a brief stint in Perth and started the band together with old friend and guitarist Pat Fielding. From there they enlisted Alex Raw on drums and former bassist Alex Barnett. They underwent some minor line-up changes before landing on Saskia Clapton (The Maggie Pills) for bass duties.
“’Don’t Call Me’ is basically about growing up and experiencing racism in Australia, making it probably the most personal release to-date. Growing up as a mixed-race person in the 2000s was equal parts strange, difficult, and confusing. All my life (even now here and there) I’ve been remarked or essentialised for the colour of my skin, like the absence of paleness from my complexion were some weird point of fascination or ire from the people around me. This was especially prevalent during school times and came from students and teachers alike, but it had a really negative impact on my mental health, identity, sense of safety/security and sense of place. ’Don’t Call Me’ takes all of that and sort of asks why I had to go through this experience in the first place.”
Tass Coomber, Great Australian Bank
The track was recorded at Head Gap Studios in Preston. It was produced, recorded and mixed by Rohan Sforcina, with mastering by Lachlan Carrick.
THOUGHTS WORDS ACTION 