Album Review: Diva Demolition - Like It Too Much!

Another timely reminder – and what is it about this business that we seem to need reminding every couple of years? – that women can rock as hard as any of their male counterparts, Diva Demolition follow in the footsteps of not only The Runaways and the stars that band spawned, Lita Ford and Joan Jett, but the glam rockers of the late '80s, from the Crüe to Poison. Yup, this female-fronted four-piece from Brisbane are unapologetically retro rock – not riot grrl rock, but in-your-face, spandex-and-big-guitars rock.

Singer and bass player Kylie Cowling and guitarist Sherree Newton – ably assisted by guitarist Ricky Collision and, for this record, drummer Alex Carapetis – aren't afraid to tip their hats to the boys whose Rock N Roll Dream they've so obviously completely immersed themselves, namechecking Poison, Alice Cooper, Tommy Lee, The Doors, Hendrix, Bon Jovi, Freddy Mercury and Queen, Frank Zappa (and Dweezil), the Chili Peppers, ZZ Top, Led Zep and the Stones in the 2.58 minutes that it takes to get through the song of the same name (oh, and one rock chick – Courtney Love).

Either way, Diva Demolition totally immerse themselves in what's become “rock'n'roll culture”, from the bands to the gear – guitars, mics, amps, radio – as metaphors for what has replaced a negligent lover in current single, Diva Disease, to peripheral activities that have attached themselves to it, like rollerderbying (Derby Girls), all delivered with big, chugging guitars, though not too much in the way solos, which are short and sweet and to the point. Otherwise, the girls sing of love, strutting and the other girl – the self-explanatory Bitch. Classic Australian pub rock via, as I say, American '80s hair metal – party rock – and there's always a place for that when it all gets a bit too serious and “arty”.