The Alchemy Of Modern Music

Punching out 12 tracks in just under 40 minutes, The Bronx IV has picked up where The Bronx III left off,” crows their label's official press release. Calling from his Californian home, singer Matt Caughthran disagrees. “Honestly, it wasn't even like picking up where we left off; it was like starting over again,” he says of their aptly-titled fourth album, with a sense of contentment. “That's what it felt like, the start of a new band. Having four or five years between a record really let it happen naturally, to become inspired and to become excited to make this record and jump back in to the world of The Bronx. Now it feels like a first record all over again.”

Between releases from the Los Angeles punks came a sojourn into world music, with a Mexican-inspired side project in Mariachi El Bronx. Heralding two successful records and opening the band up to new audiences, Caughthran admits it made the band better musicians, evident, he says on the new record. “I came from a punk band and became a singer because I couldn't play an instrument. It's not like I was a singer or knew how to sing, it just happened because I was the guy in the garage who didn't have an instrument. You go from that to actually being in a band that puts out a record and then being in a band that gets to tour all over the world and it's amazing. But when you are actually able to expand outside of that into a world that you really have no business of being in,” he pauses, searching for the right words, “you learn so much about yourself and so much about music. That has a profound effect on your confidence and what you think you're capable of doing. I'm definitely a better musician, a better singer, artist, better everything since doing El Bronx.”

Five long years between releases may be a death sentence for many bands, but Caughthran says, if anything, their fruitful side project, which inadvertently haltered The Bronx, was the much-needed inspiration they needed to get their punk band reenergised. “After the first Bronx record people were really stoked on the band and we had our major-label record coming out next. We had this big old producer, an A&R guy, label reps and all the shit that comes along with it,” he opens up candidly. “We'd go into the studio to make a punk record, and that record ends up taking a year and a half to make. People pretty much forgot about the band. Then the second record comes out on Island and doesn't sell a hundred million copies so Island drops you. It's one of those things where you learn a lot in a short timeframe. So when El Bronx started doing really well, it was like, 'We can make a Bronx record right now but it doesn't feel right. Our heads are still in Mariachi land. We've got at least six songs already written, we're all inspired to write more, everyone's feeling good and people are digging the band. Let's not make the same mistake twice and take another three years to do another El Bronx record, let's just crank one out now, while we're all feeling it.' So that's what we did and I'm stoked we did because I love that record and also it gave The Bronx the time it needed.”

Caughthran, who says the new record represents the highest evolution of the band, hasn't let past mistakes qualify his enthusiasm. “Whether it's our best record is up to whoever cares. This is us, after three Bronx records and two Mariachi El Bronx records, in a spot where we're really stoked to be alive and making music still. I think that represents a high point for us as individuals and a group. We never thought we'd get this far and accomplish the things we've accomplished. It's that sort of thing when you reach the goals that you've set, no matter how big it is in the world's eyes, it means a lot to you and that is very revitalising and very refreshing, and that gives the energy for the next ten years.”

Early reviews for the album, while positive, have been varied, with MTV making comparisons to Foo Fighters and The Black Keys and one blogger even referencing Australia's own Jet. “Jet?” Caughthran questions in hysterics. “I don't really see The Black Keys. There's a lot of rock'n'roll on this record, I'll happily admit that, but I'm the wrong guy to come to for comparisons,” he pauses. “To me it just sounds like The Bronx.” 

Recorded in their own studio by friend and Saosin guitarist Beau Burchell, the record sees the band once more in control of their destiny. “We pride ourselves on being self-sufficient and taking care of everything on our own. That's the blessing of society; if you're going to have the luxury of being able to record in your bedroom then make the most of it.”

Along with being the first Bronx record in five years, IV also marks the tenth anniversary of the band. “We have a huge box set that is being developed at the moment,” says Caughthran of their celebratory plans. “We're re-releasing all the records on vinyl, so you've got I, II, III and IV coming out on vinyl plus an extra record of all B-sides, along with a book and that sort of stuff. It's in the works right now and will be a cool retrospective of the band and where we've been and where we've come from.”

Together with the box set, celebrations will also include an Australian tour. Last in the country little more than a year ago, touring with the Big Day Out as Mariachi El Bronx and playing two sideshows as The Bronx supporting Soundgarden, Caughthran reveals they'll be back. “I'm very honoured that we've got our own little world going in Australia. We love going there every year and we'd go there twice, three times a year if we could. I'm really looking forward to getting over and playing new shows. It's going to be in April and we'll have a lot of special stuff lined up for then.”

First touring Australia in 2004 on the back of their debut, outside of their native America, Australian audiences were amongst the first to truly embrace the band. As such, they have toured regularly since and become Caughthran's favourite touring destination. “I think it's the honesty in the music,” he tries to identify what clicked so early with Australian audiences. “In a world where there are a lot of smokescreens, I think Australians are really authentic. They love real rock'n'roll and real punk music and they don't like bullshit. They don't like someone pretending they're something they're not. I've always believed that no matter what you do, if you're honest about it and put forth hard work and you've got some talent, people are going to believe in it. I think that's why Australians got us straightaway.” 

The Bronx will be playing the following dates:

Wednesday 24, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 April - Annandale Hotel, Sydney NSW
Saturday 27 April - Groovin' The Moo, Maitland Showground NSW
Sunday 28 April - Groovin' The Moo, University Of Canberra ACT
Tuesday 30 April and Wednesday 1 May - Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 4 May - Groovin' The Moo - Prince Of Wales Showground, Bendigo VIC
Sunday 5 May - Groovin' The Moo, Townsville Cricket Grounds QLD
Tuesday 7 May - The Hi-Fi, Brisbane QLD
Friday 10 May - Capitol, Perth WA
Saturday 11 May - Groovin' The Moo, Hay Park, Bunbury WA