Black Pop Records releases the first full album from Punk/Garage band Wet Dreams. Originating from Oslo, in Norway, the band was formed by Sabastian Ulstad Olsen of the group Death By Unga Bunga (I’ve reviewed their last two albums - So Far, So Good, So Cool and Pineapple Pizza) when he found himself with some songs he required a different outlet for. This became an E.P. and has moved the band forward to this, their self-titled album. Wet Dreams consists of the aforementioned Sebastian Ulstad Olsen, Elmund Aadahl (ex-Warp Riders), Per-Richard Ottosen (ex-Warp Riders), and Bendik Petterson (ex-FOAMMM). There are two singles from this release: 'Bad Boy', and 'Boogie' (if you put these two together you have an AC/DC song!). One of their first ever concerts was at Norway’s biggest festival in 2017. The following year they followed this with festivals in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. They are touring extensively in 2019.

Olsen will be the first to admit that Wet Dreams sounds a lot like his other band Death By Unga Bunga. The style can be described as Post Punk, Grunge, Power Pop, with touches of psychedelia. If I were to invoke any influences it would probably be the Ramones and Green Day. It’s amazing how the equalisation sound mix can change the whole feel of some bands. In this case, too much treble makes them sound messy and discordant. A Rock pre-setting is suitable, but heavy bass seems to suit them best.

The single 'Bad Boy' is a very basic two- or three-chord structure, but with power and melody. The 'Band Aid' track has absolutely nothing to do with the 1980s charity song. This is about never having a plaster when you cut yourself (“Somebody give me a band aid”). Simple, catchy and fun. 'Beautiful' is very much a Green Day-type of song; it is very short and sweet, probably the best of the bunch. 'Blues Lata' is moderate but heavy, with chorus effect vocals. 'Boogie' is the second single. It’s a sort of Punk version of a Boogie shuffle which works well, especially when it almost halts a couple of times before crashing back in again. It also contains the first proper guitar solo.

'Depression' is another short song; fast and furious. 'Her' returns to the moderate but heavy vibe. The vocals sound like they are played through a reverb unit. There is another guitar solo, and sound effects are introduced for the outro. 'I Told You / Drugs' is a song which reminds me of the style of Elastica on their brilliant first album (no bad thing). 'Radioactivity' returns to Green Day. A very melodic, driving song (“I’d rather kill myself than be like that”). We wrap things up with 'Roliglata', a 60s-type Pop/Rock song, moderate-paced with the emphasis on the catchy vocals.

This is a simple but fun collection of songs. Don’t expect anything technical or clever; sheer energy and drive take over. This is Post Punk by numbers, but there’s nothing wrong with the format . Many enjoyable bands did exactly that.

7

Ty Power