The Stripp – Life Imitates Art (2026) Hi-Res

The Stripp are a high energy rock n roll band from Melbourne, Australia.

Melbourne certainly continues to surprise us lately. After its bountiful harvest of funk, it's the legacy of extreme Australian rockers like Radio Birdman and the New Christs that's invoked this time, with this second album from the band led by the exuberant Bek Taylor. From the opening track, "If You Want Me," their blend of raw glam and high-energy rock 'n' roll hits you right in the gut: propelled by the driving forces of bassist Matt Brown and drummer Andy Cass, the razor-sharp riffs and incendiary choruses of guitarist Jason Zeke leave no room for doubt. Never letting up the pressure, “So Long,” “Good For Me,” “Turn Back Time,” “Murder Mobile,” “Gotta Go,” “Push,” and “Gone” thus find their place in the still-smoking halls of the Stooges’ “Shake Appeal” and “Search and Destroy” from “Raw Power,” while the rebellious accents of the aforementioned Bek do indeed evoke those of Joan Jett (whose album title, “Bad Reputation,” may even have inspired the name of this label). Frenzied gallops such as “MF From Hell” also bring to mind Motörhead circa “Ace of Spades,” while the no less furious “The End” (unrelated to the Doors’) concludes the affair in majestic savagery. If you're starting to miss the adrenaline rushes once delivered by Nashville Pussy, The Lords Of Altamont, or the Detroit Cobras, here's something to satisfy your craving while brushing up on your art history (which famous Renaissance work does the decidedly DIY artwork of this incendiary album reference?). It's also worth noting that this European digipak version includes three bonus live tracks (including the anthem "Ain't No Crime To Rock N' Roll," which was the title track of their debut album in 2022). This promises some serious bacchanalian revelry in the mud and motor oil: perfect for Hellfest!