The Ape Drape Escape - Climbing Up My Drainpipes

We were pretty sure before we even heard this EP that The Ape Drape Escape is from a different planet, so when we saw on the press release that this “MUST BE PLAYED AT MAXIMUM VOLUME” we were equal parts encouraged and worried. Worried that maybe this was all part of some strange invasion plan to conquer the planet, although how they plan to do this we hadn’t figured out.

So putting these fears aside we followed instructions and gave the EP a listen. Contained within (although barely - it feels although the music is about to break free) is evidence that The Ape Drape Escape is indeed from a different planet. One where mental electro-punk is the norm. Lead track here ‘Climbing Up My Drainpipes’ channels The Hives through the TARDIS if Nick Cave was the next Doctor. It’s full throttle the whole way with these guys and anyone who has witnessed their live performances will be able to testify to frontman Martin Clark’s showmanship and affinity with the crowd.

None of the energy from the live shows has been lost in getting The Ape Drape Escape on record, there’s the feeling of the music being about to break free at any moment. It’s brilliant, the lyrics “It makes me want to pull off my own legs” are sung within the first verse, and for the choruses we really have no idea what they’re talking about such is the frenzied delivery of the vocals.

In retrospect come to think of it, we wouldn’t mind so much these guys invading providing, that is, they form bands.