If first single ‘Fear’ is anything to go off, Sharks is shaping up to be some of Shepparton Airplane’s most adventurous writing yet, as they manoeuvre their warped punk towards more psychedelic shoegaze-esque territory.

Despite taking off into a hypnotic groove established by the band’s engine room (who you may recognise as the backbone of The Peep Tempel), it’s not long before Shepparton Airplane embrace the turbulence of the track’s subject matter and let ‘Fear’ spiral out of control. It’s no nosedive though - as the track flails amidst tangles of erratic guitar before pulling up in an unapologetically intense manner, we’re reminded that few local acts have mastered the art of controlled chaos quite like Shepp Air. Equally unsettling, ’Fear’ is built upon a study of some of history’s most infamous cult figures and the blind devotion of their disciples - a sentiment that echoes particularly poignantly as I sit at home writing this with ABC news in the background.

To gain more insight into where Shepparton Airplane will be departing to with this next release, we had the band share what they’d been listening to as they put the finishing touches on Sharks.


Sonic Youth

While not an 'obvious' influence on us as a whole, this band definitely looms large in our collective subconscious. This song in particular sums up the many things that made Sonic Youth one of the greats, the tight-yet-loose freneticism and the free form noise bursts all happily co-existing. A beautiful thing indeed.


Dirty Three

One of the most uniquely Australian-sounding bands there is. In fact, one of the most unique bands, period. A lesson in dynamics and emotion, tension and release. Without ever needing to utter a word.


Yo La Tango

Trying to categorise this band is damn near impossible, and why would you? They simply fucking rule. Seamlessly crossing into so many musical territories and owning every second of it; whether it's soft, sweet and sparse, a catchy pop tune or a 17-minute guitar wigout.


Iggy and the Stooges

The master at work. Still. Undisputed legend of rock, yada yada, you know the deal. This more recent-era clip is particularly dear to us as we saw them here in Australia that same year, and not only were they totally on fire, our guitarist Ezra somehow ended up amongst the throng of punters invited up on stage by the man himself. Not that they got to hang out or anything, but he did nearly become part of Mike Watt's bass rig. True story.


Screaming Symphony on PBS 106.7

When we were writing this album, we'd rehearse every Thursday night and on the way home we'd find ourselves listening to PBS radio's progressive power metal show 'Screaming Symphony' and growing to love it more and more each week. Not that any of us has a clue about that world, but the knowledge and passion these guys have for the music and the detail with which they dissect that week's new releases is truly compelling. Thanks Peter and Gary.


Fugazi

Now, if you're still with us, just give this a watch. Music simply doesn't get much better than Fugazi.