by Conor Lochrie (@conornoconnor)
CLAMM emerged like a shattering force on the Melbourne music scene, almost unexpectedly, last year. Band members Jack Summers and Miles Harding were part of other notable local bands - Gamjee and Dragoons - and the CLAMM project was initially meant as a mere exercise to work on a heavier sound than those other outfits afforded. Such was the success of the experimentation, however, that we now have one of the strongest recent records to come from that city in Beseech Me. It’s heavy, certainly, but the righteousness sound is underpinned by a steadfast thoughtfulness; CLAMM belong to that new category of punk, all self-aware and considered.
Summers is a commanding frontman but his lyrics are often cut with signs of frustration. On “Sucker Punch” he shouts “I don’t want to fight because I’m a fucking coward”; opener “Liar” sees the singer wrestle with his own mental health and understanding himself. It’s that song which contains the forceful line “It’s coming for me!,” an immediately urgent introduction to the album.
Both “Liar” and “Dog” were released as singles in 2019 to strong acclaim. With regards to the latter, where Iggy Pop - a clear influence - reveled in being someone’s ‘dog,’ CLAMM take a differing approach, considering fear through the eyes of that animal (there’s an excellent accompanying video for the single featuring the band playing in the middle of an animal shelter, surrounded by the stares and howls of dogs from the cages).
The other eight tracks are equal to them in their fuzziness and virulence, though, and the energy is relentless throughout. Even closing track “Bossman” furiously stomps its way out, Harding’s drums only briefly letting up for Summers’ distinctive snarl to break through. Listening to Beseech Me also means dealing with the dismay of knowing that this album won’t be able to be heard in a live setting - as wired punk like this should be - for a few months at the very least.