RA RA VIPERS FIRST EP
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the next generation of Perth’s alt/indie live music world, then Ra Ra Viper may be an act that have popped up on your radar within the last few years. Forming towards the tail-end of 2018, the five-piece group of Freo pals kicked into gear with a breakthrough single titled Paddy back in August last year, introducing the outfit as ones to watch while also taking them to the next level in their own growth and evolution too; Ra Ra Viper stepping up from one of those bands playing friends’ house parties to those supporting the cream of the crop over here in WA.
Release-wise, Ra Ra Viper have really stepped it up too. Since sharing Paddy last year, they’ve released a collection of stirring indie-rock tunes that further explore and refine the West Australiana-esque edge to their work. Take, for example, song names such as last year’s Swanny Beach and last month’s highlight in Kalamunda Queen, or how their heavy inspiration in acts embedded within West Australia’s live music world – Noah Dillon, Old Mervs and so on – sneak into their own work, although twisted and turned into something distinct to Ra Ra Viper.
It’s a combination that Ra Ra Viper sink their teeth into across their debut EP Kawaii, premiering on Pilerats today ahead of an EP launch on June 18th (which we’ll talk about in a second). Kawaii is a brilliant showcase of Ra Ra Viper and a worthy introduction if you’re yet to be acquainted, taking the multi-faceted nature of their work and showing how it spreads across a large tapestry of sounds, from the heavier alt-rock-y stuff to those that feel a little poppier, rushing with buoyant choruses and electrifying songwriting not too far off from influences like Noah Dillon.
The two tracks already shared from the EP are in the centre spotlight; Kalamunda Queen and Crying Shame – both initially released this year – capturing Ra Ra Viper hit a new peak, as they emerge with what’s perhaps the most poignant showcase of Ra Ra Viper and their sound. That said, there’s a tonne of excitement in the other two tracks too, with Two Minds debuting a sound that’s a little more psychedelic-like and slow-stirring, while the EP-closing Angry Boys is a pivot to the opposite, feeling plucked from the same edgy sound as Arctic Monkeys, except a little less British.
As mentioned, the EP premieres on Pilerats ahead of a launch show on June 18th, which will see Ra Ra Viper headline Jack Rabbit Slim’s alongside a cast of supporting acts that have become some of our favourites within the last year: Pretty Uglys, Scream Mountain and Humble Armada. You can get tickets and a little more information here, but in the meantime, take a dive into Kawaii below, and take note of it as an introduction to a group that will no doubt kill it in the year ahead.
Available Lyrics
Kalamunda Queen
Verse 1
Pulsar for a limousine
My baby craves ciggies over diamond rings
Keep my up – to make me wait
Even if I had you could I make you stay?
Chorus
You got all I need…
You’re my everything Kalamunda queen
Girl your hills are sick
I got a 20 in glove box we could get a drink
Verse 2
Your mother throws some filthy lines
But I think it’s that grit and grime that makes you shine
We’ve been good friends for a bloody long time
And you got me off that bender when old Brenda died
Chorus
You got all I need…
You’re my everything Kalamunda queen
Girl your hills are sick
I got a 20 in glove box we could get a drink
Bridge
Here my voice before we elope
I got 200 in the bank but my car is choked
And I could afford you with a million notes
So I told you I ????
In 10 years time
I’d be lying on the cold floor having a smoke, oh
K-Queen deserves every note
After what I’m feeling, this awesome feelingCause you don’t care…
Crying Shame
Verse 1
You left me in the moment
You said this love meant something
But I’m holding on to nothing here
You’re fine again…
Chorus
I keep my tears at bay
I will romanticise those days
Whilst crying such a shame
You’re calling out my name again
I’m asking for a friend
Verse 2
Addicted to the feelings
Too bad we both didn’t feel that
But I know what the difference is
You’re cool again…
Chorus
While I keep my tears at bay
I will romanticise those days
Whilst crying such a shame
You’re calling out a name again
I’m asking for a friend
(GUITAR SOLO)
There’s something in the way
I will romanticise those days
Whilst crying such a shame
You’re calling out my name again
I’m asking for a friend
Two Minds
Verse 1
You’re holding out to make scene
Now I think we finally see
We’re caught in something we don’t believe in
Now I think you’ve marked the line
That trembles down my crooked spine
To think I’ve wasted all this time…
Chorus
I’m trying to do what’s right
Cause I’ll be fine again
Youth and young manhood has us growing into men
And I could say I’m fine
But there’s nothing left to give
I find the words to say before you dent me in my head
Verse 2
How’d we came the part this way
God knows I’ll miss you every day
Never thought I’d walk away
I know my love is nothing like before
But what is at the core?
Oh my love I’m sure of it
And all the stupid things we’ve said
I need some plaster and green cement
To cover up what we’ve confessed
Chorus
Trying to do what’s right
Cause I’ll be fine again
Well youth and young manhood has us growing into men
And I could say I’m fine,
But there’s nothing left to give
I find the words to say before you dent me in my head
Angry Boys
Verse 1
Imagine just one line
We’ll take it to a better place
Well I’ll focus my words with time
So we can comfort ourselves with the space
We place between ourselves and the seed we sow
What does your garden grow?
So many angry boys…
Verse 2
Did we forget to breathe?
When we drove down to Serpentine
Hell I will fill all your dreams with sleep
So we could rest and never fight
It’s the obnoxious that make life bearable
If it weren’t difficult….
Then nothing would satisfy
Verse 3
I’ll ride with you through any storm
I know you can’t always be happy
I think you could do more, so just don’t
Sell yourself as just a prize
And don’t sell yourself as I
Or wear a fake disguise and I’ll be…
Your friend and brother for all time
And our last names may never rhyme
But I’ll be doing fine
Without you