CLAMM have always been one of Melbourne music’s most formidable forces of nature.
Straight from the first blast of “Liar”, their very first single, they have been ferocious and tenacious, releasing torrents of unrelenting punk upon their listeners.
Beneath the barreling noise, though, there has always lurked self-aware songwriting about the many ills of the modern world; it’s why the three tenets of CLAMM’s music has always been “community, creativity, and catharsis.”
“Liar” thrillingly opened the band’s debut album, Beseech Me, in 2020, and they’ve barely paused for breath since. Care followed two years later, earning frequent support from BBC 6 Music, PBS, RRR, and many more radio stations, and now the band’s third record is almost upon us.
Last week, CLAMM announced their new EP, Disembodiment, set for release this July via Meat Machine (who reissued their debut album on vinyl in 2021).
The EP is led by new single “Change Enough”, which proves that CLAMM’s anger at the woes of today’s world hasn’t subsided (nor should it).
“‘Change Enough’ speaks on the importance of counting to change oneself, especially from the lens of lead singer Jack Summers’ masculine perspective,” the band share.
“Change, whilst not easy, is necessary, especially during violent times where individuals around the world are feeling let down by their respective governments’ inaction toward the murder of innocent civilians.”
That last statement is impossible to misinterpret: this is CLAMM’s indictment on the current political establishment’s blindness to Israel’s war on Gaza. When our social media feeds are being bombarded with images and videos of dead Palestinians while those in power do nothing, more needs to be done.
“Never change enough,” as Summers repeatedly bellows. But he’s not wholly despondent in the song: “I’m feeling, feelings man… To strive for betterment… To be a better man,” he yelps, because all we can do sometimes, when systemic change feels like a distant possibility, is change ourselves.
As far as opening statements to a record go, it’s a powerful one. You’ll be able to hear what else Summers, Stella Rennex, and Miles Harding have to say when their full EP drops on Friday, July 19th.
Before then, you can catch CLAMM live – where their music really should be heard – at The Curtin in Melbourne on Saturday, June 18th (ticket information here). It’s their farewell show before the trio embark on their fourth international headline tour through July and August.
CLAMM”s “Change Enough” is out now. Disembodiment EP is out Friday, July 19th via meat Machine (pre-save/pre-order here).
