Camp Cope
How To Socialise & Make Friends
Poison City
Melbourne trio Camp Cope set the bar pretty high with their debut album coming hot on heals of their whirlwind appearance on the live scene. In no time they went from rehearsal rooms in inner city Melbourne to playing shows in the USA. They now sell out shows in record time and have gone from newcomers to the ‘main act’ in no time at all. Along the way they have stayed true to their punk rock and DIY ethos. How To Socialise & Make Friends finds the band in unfamiliar territory as it is their first release that comes with the weight of expectations.
First single The Opener showed that the band weren’t going to succumb peacefully as they outlined the challenges that the trio have faced amid a scene that is overflowing with toxic masculinity. The integrity of the band hasn’t wavered. Where most bands in their position would retreat to a studio for months to follow up such a well received debut, Camp Cope spent a paltry two days in a South Melbourne studio to create the 9 songs on How To Socialise & Make Friends.
Leading the push for safer spaces for musicians and fans alike, it is no surprise that Camp Cope tackle the issue of sexual assault straight on. The Face Of God is a raw and honest appraisal of the isolation and pain that too many women are subjected to by the behaviour of others. There is also the camaraderie of friends that is given a loving look through the eyes of the trio.
The Omen is one of the rare times when Camp Cope turn things down and Georgia Mac ponders what domestic bliss could look like as she longs for a life of riding bikes, university study and rescue dogs. While they trade in powerful tunes and being fiercely independent, The Omen is all the better for its introspection and fragility. The basslines of Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich are further back in the mix for much of How To Socialise & Make Friends, yet she remains the melodic backbone of the band with her tuneful runs.
Camp Cope are developing as songwriters in front of our eyes and yet still do it better than most. How To Socialise & Make Friends sees a slight adjustment to their template, without taking away from their intensity. Camp Cope make anthems that are heavy on tunefulness and social commentary, that are inspiring the next generation. There is no one better to be leading the charge.
CHRIS HAVERCROFT
