I’m pretty late to The Bad Dad Orchestra party. They’ve been dropping EPs since 2016, but they’d slipped underneath my radar until late last year when they released the fabulous single “Birds of Prey.” “Makin’ Me Wild” came next, and my enthusiasm for the band was in full force. With expectations sky high, I pressed play on their long-awaited debut album, also called Makin’ Me Wild. So often when a band’s set the bar so high with stellar singles, an album falls a little short. Not here. It’s every bit as good as I hoped for.
I shouldn’t have worried though. These guys have been honing their craft for years. They know each other and what they can do together, and they do it so well. Every song sounds like a classic from the first listen. Soul oozes out of every note. Frontman Jimi Steele has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. Period. The horns section is so tight and punchy. They make me wonder why more bands don’t use one. Every member of the orchestra plays a vital part though. Together they are magic.
A lot of this EP is party music. I found myself grooving in my chair to new favourites like “Soul Survivor” and “Trauma”. Just see if you can resist clapping along to “Callin’ Me Now”. Bad Dad Orchestra excels at this kind of music, but they’re equally capable of slowing things down and delivering heartfelt ballads like the gospel-inspired “Rockin’ My Heart” and the moving closer “Sapphire Sky.” Honestly, it’s all so brilliant.
If there was any doubt, Makin’ Me Wild cements The Bad Dad Orchestra’s reputation as one of the best bands in Australia. This album is brilliant, but something tells me these guys take the energy up a notch when they’re in front of a crowd. Find out for yourself when Bad Dad Orchestra visits your hometown on their album launch tour.
22 March 2024 – Valentino Safe Co, Woiwurrung Country/Lilydale (SOLD OUT)
5 April 2024 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne
6 April 2024 – Little Lucy’s, Koorakoorakup/Sunbury
19 April 2024 – Stag & Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle
20 April 2024 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney
3 May 2024 – Republic Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
4 May 2024 – Paragon Theatre, Timkarik/Queenstown
10 May 2024 – The Royal Oak Hotel, Kanamaluka Country/Launceston
16-19 May 2024 – Blues on Broadbeach, Yugambeh Country/Broadbeach (FREE)
17 May 2024 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Cheap Fakes)
1 June 2024 – The Pier/Island State Brewing, Mumirimina Country/Ulverstone
24 and 25 August 2024 – Gympie Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie
Images used with permission from Footstomp Music