Party Dozen, a unique saxophone-and-drums duo hailing from Sydney, are known for their experimental noise-rock sound. They recently earned Album Of The Week recognition for their debut album, The Real Work, released in 2022. Their upcoming second album, Crime In Australia, is set to launch this summer. The album will feature their previously released single “Wake In Might” along with their latest single, “The Big Man Upstairs,” which offers a departure from their usual style.
Crime In Australia was entirely created by Party Dozen, who wrote, produced, and mixed the album themselves. The album is divided into two parts, with one side symbolizing order and the other representing disorder. “The Big Man Upstairs” deviates from their usual sound, presenting an anthemic post-punk vibe with actual lyrics. The song features Kirsty Tickle’s saxophone, reminiscent of the guitar sound found in Big Country records. The accompanying video narrates the story of Joh Bjelke-Petersen, a controversial politician known as the “hillbilly dictator” who governed Queensland, enforcing bans on protests and targeting punk culture before his downfall due to corruption.
Jonathan Boulet on “The Big Man Upstairs”
This tale is incredibly intriguing! We felt compelled to retell it and ensure its preservation. It seems to be a story known only to the people of Queensland. Perhaps they are attempting to erase it from memory?
This narrative is saturated with unimaginable corruption and a hunger for power. It resonates sadly with the current state of the world.
A government engulfed in corruption and the inevitable eruption of punk rock, activism, and counter-culture. There were profound movements transpiring during that era, but our focus had to center more on the musical aspect. It all feels surreal. A specialized police unit declaring war on music??
We certainly embarked on a challenging endeavor with this concept. The process of researching and gathering verified information, footage, and photographic evidence to accurately depict the scene was captivating yet strenuous.
I wouldn’t claim that the QLD government sparked the evolution of punk, but it undoubtedly played a role.
Watch the music video for “The Big Man Upstairs” and explore the tracklist for Crime In Australia below.
TRACKLIST:
01 “Coup De Gronk”
02 “Wake In Might”
03 “Money & The Drugs”
04 “Les Crimes”
05 “The Big Man Upstairs”
06 “Judge Hammer”
07 “Bad News Department”
08 “The Righteous Front”
09 “Piss On Earth”
10 “Jon’s International Marketplace”
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