Rainbow Skull Party is an independent Australian three-piece rock band based in Meanjin (Brisbane) and Tulmur (Ipswich), Queensland. Their debut single, “Keep It Going, Going, Going, Go!” was released in 2022. Combining punk-rock energy with psychedelic sensibility, the debut blends pumping rhythms, charged vocals, and dreamy guitar mayhem. Their sophomore release, “Masquerade,” was released in February 2024. The trio was formed in 2022 and comprises brothers Lawrie, Paul, and their friend Dave. They spent the year writing, recording, and touring. Taking influence from all rock genres, they have developed their own unique style, combining alternative rock, surf, grunge, punk, psychedelia, hard rock, and everything in between.
The initial hit of distortion echoes throughout the room and shakes the foundation of modern homes and modern music all at once. Rainbow Skull Party’s “Clownface” explodes out of the speakers with a burst of searing tones and warping vocals, capturing the infectious nature of indie rock and intertwining it with the unforgiving experimentation of hard rock. There is never a dull moment in this tune. The band brings unique dynamic twists to the heavy distortion. At the same time, the cartoonish vocals effortlessly slide over the ever-warping arrangement, creating a complex song that blurs the lines between catchy and confrontational. Despite the band’s refusal of convention, Rainbow Skull Party is able to make “Clownface” feel familiar and almost like home. No sense of quaintness or warmth radiates from this single, but rather than force their way into your world, the band welcomes you into theirs. “Clownface” is an unpredictable metal tune delivered by a band that thrives in unconventional ways and invites you in with head-spinning guitar work and psychedelic undertones.
“It’s really a song about unsettling interactions with a seemingly creepy clown (who may or may not actually be as scary as they seem),” explains the band. “If you’ve ever been in the Valley after 2 am, you can probably relate.”
