Bingo Fighter Hit Back With Raucous Riffs and Punk Ideals On The Barnstorming ‘Kama Sutra’

The New Zealand-based Bingo Fighter's first album, the retro sounding ‘Race To The Finish Line’ managed to pull off something very few bands are able to do. In just 12 songs, the band exceptionally turned the punk-ideals of the ‘70s into a relevant and modern tirade of sound.

The opening track of said album, the wonderful ‘Kama Sutra’ is the latest single to be released from the undiscovered gem that is their debut LP. 

The phrase ‘kicking off’ is used a lot in music to describe the opening of a song, however with Bingo Fighters, it seems particularly apt. Fast-paced guitars accompany angry pounding drums as the track lets you know you’re in for a ride from the off, whilst the other-worldly synths layered over the intro gives the song an ethereal vibe. 

Fast-spoken lyrics delivered in the mould of Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ change the track from a simple punk number to an intriguing and ever-changing rollercoaster, both sonically and lyrically. Yet, the images of loneliness, apathy and sexuality create a world far more abstract than the New York crooner could ever dream of. 

The foursome perfectly sum up the malaise of the modern world as they sing “Discard cos it’s much too hard / I am just a lonely bard”. The words are playful yet haunting and delivered in such a fashion that confuses the listener as to whether the band find the subject matter funny or frightening. It’s a fascinating aspect of the track and one that once again reminds us of the layers the band have to their sound and words. 

‘Kama Sutra’ has a sexy swagger that is missing from many modern-day punk bands. Whilst it pays homage to the sounds of the past, the band’s confidence and ability to weave abstract lyrics through old school music with a modern twist makes the track a standout from a wonderfully exciting album. I just hope they can maintain the sheer sense of excitement in their future output. 

James Ogden 

Image: Bingo Fighter Logo