Not many bands have 15,000 kilometres between hometowns, but given that they are based in Perth and fronted by an Englishman banished to the colonies; The Spitfires are an Australian band unlike any other.

And the story thus far is short but worth getting up to speed on, as the band kicked off recently, but kicked off proper. Within a few months of gigging, The Spitfires were already pulling in punters and glowing reviews alike, with the band’s ‘one part Manchester/two parts Perth’ hybrid of ideas and styles quickly turning heads and getting tongues wagging. Jumping straight into the studio, the band’s 2009 debut EP, Firestorm, introduced a sound that was as intellectually punk rock as it was steeped in classic British pop... and correspondingly cocky.

Firestorm earned the band further glowing reviews, and as their gigging schedule grew, The Spitfires’ next generation of songs were further encapsulating the band’s knack for a punchy chorus and clever turn of phrase. The rawness and sardonic wit of their live shows had started to work its way into the song writing process, accompanied by a greater sense of self awareness and an increasingly dark sense of humour.

Which eventually delivered The Spitfires’ second EP, Dead? Good... a record that, much like The Spitfires themselves, gets straight to the point. Packed with hooks, and delivered with a cheeky smile and an extended middle finger; Dead? Good! is The Spitfires to a tee... a band that can wrap infectious pop songs in punk energy without having to reference the cliches of either.

A band that understand the importance of a good melody. As a recently expatriated Englishman, frontman Sean Regan brings a totally unique perspective to The Spitfires. Now living in one of the world’s smallest cities, having grown up in one of its largest; Regan is the core of The Spitfires’ outspoken ethos that a band is only limited by itself, and there is no excuse for mediocrity. As the reiteration of this uncompromising intent, the drum and bass team of Alex Hay and Paul Bovenkerk provide the perfect backbone for Regan’s dextrous ideas and melodies alike.

And what they’ve done with it thus far can be found all throughout Dead? Good! Permeated by the band’s intellect and attitude as much as their rich tapestry of musical influences from both sides of the planet; the EP is a statement of how things are, according to a band who place their future in no one’s hands but their own. A band that think for themselves...