PerthZine

Tag: caught in the corners

  • Band Feature – Bribes

    Band Feature – Bribes

    Making Friends Along the Way

    It’s a balmy Bunuru Friday night and the small venue courtyard is packed with happy punters, enjoying good company and eager to see Bribes launch their latest long player, Caught in the Corners. The band are relishing the chance to catch up with friends and fans, with a little anxious energy floating through the DJ’s music. Bribes are seasoned musicians though, and when they hit the stage, it becomes a celebration of the hard work they’ve put in.

    Guitarist, singer and front-one Ange and bassist/vocalist Ronan met in utero and have been writing songs ever since. Starting out with fun jingles as kids, they eventually did what many teenagers before them have done — formed a real band. Wound Honey, an excellent band with beautifully melodious songs, marked their entry into the Perth/Boorloo scene, with Aaron soon joining the songwriting fold.

    While Ange explored a wilder side in punk band Sooks, the urge to keep writing indie-folk never faded. That thread carried through to Bribes, with school friend Danyon joining the jam and bringing enough synth energy to help lock in the now solidified lineup.

    After the first album was driven largely by Ange’s songwriting, the band has evolved into a more collaborative effort — and it shows in the diverse range of songs. The strength of the band’s friendship is the glue that holds it all together. It’s a big call, but they claim to be the number one friendship-rock band in town. Watch out Didion’s Bible.

    Like most bands in Perth/Boorloo, Bribes are gigging regularly and building a loyal base of friends and fans. One of the biggest challenges in this isolated city is finding ways to play outside the box. With only a handful of small to mid-sized venues, success often means branching out into alternative spaces. Thankfully, there are plenty of creatives willing to do just that. As Ange puts it, “It can be more work for the artists themselves, but I think we might see a shift to DIY shows and spaces to fill in those gaps.” Amen.

    Nothing comes without hard work, and the rewards are clear when you see a packed room of eager fans wanting nothing more than to watch a band give it everything. The album launch is a success, and Bribes send their songs out into the ether — already looking toward what comes next.

    Caught in the Corners is out now.

  • Album Review – Bribes: Caught in the Corners (2026)

    Album Review – Bribes: Caught in the Corners (2026)

    Sophomore Effort Delivers

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Caught in the Corners is the latest offering from Perth band Bribes. The four-piece’s second album is a mature and polished effort, capturing just how far the band have come since their debut.

    Opening strongly with Head, the sound fades in and quickly rises with synth-backed energy that explodes into one of the strongest tracks on the album. Ribcage follows with a nice little bassline hook opening the track, and moody organs keeping things mellow before the track builds up to a stop start chorus with some fine harmonising just a tiny bit reminiscent of a certain 90’s classic involving crash test dummies.

    It is then time for a change in lead vocal duties on Pale Blue Bowl. The acoustic driven track featuring string accompaniment is short and punchy. Joined by Gidge Ridge which features lovely horns and fine guitar work, the tracks pair up nicely, starting slow and building towards a crescendo. Looking forward to seeing if the band adds the strings and horns for the album launch at The Bird (I’ve heard rumours 😉).

    This middle section of the album has some excellent production – great guitar sound in particular from Ange and Aaron. Carnage works nicely with its percussive intro and excellent subdued riff. Undiagnosed goes deep into symbolism in Danyon’s youth, with a clear message many can relate to these days.

    Imbue changes things up with an almost post-rock feel, if it was played at a carnival. It’s a great song to bring things back up. Paired with As a Vice we can call this the quirky section of the album, with the rhythms and arrangements getting a bit further out there than the rest of the album; it’s a nice change up.

    Don’t Let It End could be called the single of the album (there are a few that could meet these criteria to be fair), and is catchy as hell with the pop synth hooks and dancey chorus. We are then hit with the punk rock of Deceased Estate, also laden with plenty of synth hooks behind Ange’s vocals and crazy horn solos.

    Rounding the album out is the fine Spider and the Glass, which has a nineties alt rock feel to it that brings to mind the bands of the late nineties Aussie rock boom. It’s the longest track on the album and worth listening through to the frantic ending, sounds like a song that would translate well live.

    Caught in the Corners is out now, and I strongly suggest not missing the launch at The Bird tonight which promises to be a special one with guest performers and an excellent line up of support acts.