Single Review: Gearbox

Wellington’s Sea Mouse are back with a ferocious new single Gearbox, taking things up several notches with an all-out rock and roll party banger, sure to get the adrenaline pumping on the mosh floor.

Led by charismatic frontman and guitarist Seamus Johnson, this song is backed by the finely polished rhythm machine of bassist Scott Maynard and drummer Thomas Friggens. Starting straight out the gate, a solid punk riff layered with rock and roll gusto, complemented by rolling bass lines and driving drums. The vocals are delivered with a raw intensity further boosted by booming floor Tom fills and snare rolls that move the song between verse and chorus passages and escalate the nature of the song. There’s vibes & sprinkles of musical legends Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry and Jet looming throughout the songs DNA.

We get not one but two guitar solos, the first short and sweet, getting us to that half way point in distorted glory. Following another verse and chorus, a rip roaring blues inspired guitar solo takes us home to the outro. “Until the gearbox jams” repeats out with choir like Robert Plant background vocals really elevating the intensity and keeping that hook in your head. Gearbox is a sing along anthem for all fans involved.

The production is crisp and clear with each instrument standing on its own with no filler. The drum tone really hits, especially the toms, have so much punch and attack and the vocals sit perfectly in the mix. A frantic and driving musical story complimented by solid musicianship and huge guitars. A song that will be sure to blow the roof of the venue!