Known as the hard-nosed drummer behind Geelong punk group Gonzo, Darcy Berry has spent the better half of this year leaning into his own design and construct - launching Moth as a multi-sensory showcase of his dystopian graphics and unsettled post-punk. In line with the band's imperative visuals, Moth curates a sound somewhere between Powerplant and Diät - fronting rhythmic hypnic jerks while never shying away from society's downward pressures. After releasing their debut 7” Machine Nation in July, Moth returned earlier this month with Modern Madnes - their latest barrage of discordant punk tracks, each blurring the lines of agitation and meditative reprieve. 

Impending, fast and equally disparate, Modern Madness once again finds Berry in collaboration with bandmate and keyboardist Veeka Nazarova, offering her commanding vocals across tracks ‘Digital Crisis’ and ‘Modern Madness’. Not dissimilar to the wiry disdain littered across Machine Nation, an immediate parallel is met throughout Modern Madness from Berry’s familiar yelp and urgent performance. Once again recorded by Matt Blach (Beans, The Murlocs), Modern Madness adapts the Moth diatribe through a refined messaging and forward songwriting. Channeling the mundane and crushing elements of routine, Modern Madness is Moth at their most thematically rich - exploring modern fraternizing, corporate obsession and the lows of success, each track expands an expertise in society's imminent dismantling. 

Unravelling the chaos behind Modern Madness and the wider Moth output, we had Darcy Berry talk us through some of the main influences behind his work.


Penis Envy - Crass

I love all of Crass’ albums, but nothing comes close to Penis Envy in my opinion. The subject matter of feminism, issues revolving around sexual repression, female roles in marriage and attacking the ‘system’ still ring just as true today as it did back in ’81. Frustration and anger are definitely embedded within the messages of Moth songs, yet no way near as powerful as Crass.


Raw Power - The Stooges

This album changed the way I viewed everything. I still remember the first time I listened to it. I’d never heard rock and roll so primitive before, so raw and completely badass. It made me want to smash everything that surrounded me but have fun doing so.


Naked Lunch by William Burroughs

Naked Lunch was the first book to really have a huge influence on me. It altered my opinion on what art could be; there are absolutely no limits. The obscure and honestly quite disgusting or taboo subjects excited me, and made me realise that there are no boundaries regarding creativity except for the ones you create for yourself.


Bend Sinister - The Fall

Most people who know me are definitely aware that The Fall are my favourite band. I don’t shut up about them and most likely never will. Bend Sinister is a great example of The Fall’s experimental side as well as their more general rock vibe, which I love. The b-sides of this album are fantastic too, notably 'Lucifer Over Lancashire'.


Les Visiteurs Du Soir - Mathématiques Modernes

French music has always caught my ear, especially 1960’s Chic groups. One day I stumbled across this album and it completely blew me away. So groovy and easy to dance to, yet utterly unique and super badass. Listening to groups like this really push me to try and step up my game to achieve something anywhere close to this level of cool.


Put Me On The Guest List - Glaxo Babies

Glaxo Babies rule. Enough said. Super great band that amazes me every time I listen to them. They’ve been something that seems to reflect how I’m feeling in many different cases quite well. The funkier songs get me dancing more often than not.


Into The Country - Spray Paint

I’ve been a fan of Spray Paint for some time now, but only recently this year listened to this album. It blew me away. The production is great, the use of drum machines and drums is even better; it is just a super strong album in my eyes. I’ve been listening to this album constantly on repeat since discovering it.