STUMPS Release Career Best Single, “Life’s Moving Past You”

A few years ago I felt STUMPS were finding their feet and their own unique sound. I knew they had something, but it still felt a little derivative. What a difference a few years makes. Their latest single “Life’s Moving Past You” is a triumph, with an epic feel and a lyrical hook that promises to stay with you.

“This song somewhat started as a longer-form ballad in its infancy,” explained STUMPS’ bassist, Merrick Powell. “But when we brought it to the studio we wanted to give it more drive and some dance-y flavour. By changing the beat in the chorus, the song felt like it came to life in that moment. Now it feels, to us, like it brings together almost all of our sonic elements in a way we really love, which was a big goal of ours.”

STUMPS will kick off a national tour tonight to celebrate the release of “Life’s Moving Past You.” If the single’s lyrics don’t inspire you to get off the couch and see these guys live, I’m not sure what will!

15 July 2023 – The Station, Ngarigo/Jindabyne
27 July 2023 – Bucketty’s, Dharug/Brookvale
28 July 2023 – New Cambo, Awabakal/Newcastle
3 August 2023 – Finnian’s Irish Tavern, Birpai/Port Macquarie
4 August 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meanjin/Brisbane
5 August 2023 – Vinnie’s Dive, Yugambeh/Gold Coast
11 August 2023 – La La La’s, Dharawal/Wollongong
18 August 2023 – The Retreat, Naarm/Melbourne
19 August 2023 – Barwon Club, Wathaurong/Geelong
25 August 2023 – Crown & Anchor, Kaurna/Adelaide
26 August 2023 – Four5Nine Bar, Boorloo/Perth
1 September 2023 – The Shaking Hand, Ngambri/Canberra
2 September 2023 – Marrickville Bowling Club, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission fron cult logic; credit: Josh Carr-Hummerston

Stumps Pays Tribute to “Your Old Man”

Sydney four-piece Stumps wears their hearts on their sleeves with their latest single “Your Old Man,” a fond ode to the father of lead singer Kyle Fisher’s partner.

“Just before I entered the door to meet and have dinner with him she paused me and said ‘So, my dad used to be a drug raid and undercover cop in the 80s and has had some pretty crazy experiences … so, yeah, no dark jokes?'” he recounted. “After a while I started to notice just how gentle he was in his mannerisms, towards his family, despite his gruff demeanour towards me. So this song became a tribute to that moment of noticing the shared masculine insecurities and fear we both had towards one another. And realising that loving and caring for someone was at the crux of all our doubts.”

I love the honesty and energy of this song. It also tells a story we haven’t heard before, and that’s so refreshing. What do you think of it?

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

“This Home is Mine” – Stumps

I must admit, I didn’t get Stumps’ new EP This Home is Mine right away. It felt like this Sydney band was trying too hard to be The Smiths. But I have a rule that I won’t turn off any recording before it gets to the end. I know bands have spent time slaving away in the studio laying down their tracks, so they deserve to be heard out.

It all clicked for me somewhere around the third track, “Matthew McConaughey.” I found myself having fun, tapping my feet along in time with the chorus, which clicks this song into gear. From that moment I was firmly on board.

After listening to this EP once, I felt compelled to go back to the start and try again. Second time around, those early tracks made so much more sense to me. Each song from This Home is Mine is like a sucker punch. Not one clocks in at over four minutes – most tracks are around the three-minute mark – so there’s no time for the band to muck around. They go hard, dropping F-bombs and embracing big chords and thumping drums.

Stumps won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but This Home is Mine is bloody good fun. It’s bold and raucous, unashamedly unapologetic. Crank it up and give it a chance. If you’re like me, you’ll be glad you did.

I have an inkling this music is going to sound even better in a packed pub with a beer in hand. If you do too, make sure you don’t miss Stumps’ upcoming shows.

14 April 2018 – Waywards, Sydney (supporting Maddy Jane)
20 April 2018 – Gasometer, Melbourne (supporting Maddy Jane)
2 May 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (FREE)
4 May 2018 – Waywards, Sydney
5 May 2018 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne (FREE)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR