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Born In The Suburbs

by Suburban Urchins

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Cardboard gatefold digipack with amazing artwork by Rick Chesshire and also contains fold-out lyric sheet with the Urchins' story.

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1.
4,000 MILES AWAY (Words & Music - Scott Riley) On a Sunday night just after nine As well it might the phone is ringing I can’t be kind as she goes to answer While in my mind his neck I’m wringing I can’t help it if I get insanely jealous So bad it makes me wanna sigh We’ve never met but it doesn’t matter It all goes back to the beginning And now he wants her back again He’s not happy with just a friend He’ll never realise it’s the end And what he had he’ll never have again Tell ya I’ll make no secret of it I can easily say I’m so glad he’s 4,000 miles away I hear you’re coming home at Christmas I hope you plan to mind your own business Business business To the ends of the Earth is still too close Why can’t it be another galaxy I bear a grudge and I’m not too proud to call it jealousy It’s something I can’t seem to come to terms with So bad that I can’t even try There’s so much ground I’ve got to make up If I’m to catch his lengthy innings You know they lived together for a year or so And though he’s gone he still won’t let go How long can this go on I just don’t know But it should be clear by now the answer’s no Tell ya…etc. Miles away 4,000 miles away Miles away 4,000 miles away
2.
I DON’T WANNA GO (Words & Music - Scott Riley) One big happy family is what we’ve never been I couldn’t stand the fakeness or the hypocrisy It isn’t my reunion it’s just a big pretence I feel so isolated and I’ve got no defence Honestly? Honestly! I don’t wanna go If I may be so bold I don’t really wanna know If the truth be told Wouldn’t do my any good Would only do me harm What’s in it for me? Well I’m not ever taking any more on board And opening old wounds is something I can’t afford When you’re in a state of chronic fragility If often corners you into disability Seriously? Seriously! I don’t wanna go I wanna stay here I don’t really wanna know Do I make myself clear What’s in it for me? Would only do me harm Wouldn’t do me any good If I accepted your invitation What would I be letting myself in for? I don’t wanna go…etc. Frustration overflows
3.
SQUALOR AT 59 (Words & Music - Scott Riley) And so we open the door Confronted by an outrage I’m sure there’s somewhere a floor Underneath the takeaways Can’t reach the door to the hall The crap’s got me pinned to the wall I’d tell you ‘bout the kitchen But it’s more of the same The sink shares with the bathtub A blockage in the drain And stops the water going down If it’s not fixed we’ll surely drown It’s simply not the scene State of the art hygiene It’s true there’s no denying Sheer squalor at 59 Oh no the roof is leaking It’s falling damp Down comes the ceiling On the Marshall amp Lucky no one came to grief I’m only glad I wasn’t underneath Then there’s a glass that shatters Entirely on its own And I hear heavy breathing When I’m home alone There must be a presence at this address If only they’d help clean all the mess It’s simply…etc.
4.
BORN IN THE SUBURBS (Words and Music - Ian Proudlock) We were born in the gutter We grew up on the street We were slaves to the rhythm Now we’re kickin’ the beat Gettin down with your momma While we’re stealing your car We’re playing poker with your sister And we’re playing your guitar (Chorus) Cos we’re Urchins (Urchins) We’re motherfucking Urchins (Urchins) We’re dirty little Urchins (Urchins) And we’re coming from a suburb near you We’re stealing money from your wallet Stealing liquor from the store Got our hands in our pockets Cruisin’ down the street to score Now we’re rockin the stage In this dirty little dive We’re like rock ‘n roll soldiers In the war against the jive (Repeat chorus) We were born in the suburbs We grew up on the street Where we learned how to fight Just to make the ends meet We were breaking into houses We were breaking into cars Now we’re breaking out the riffage On our pawnshop guitars (Repeat chorus)
5.
SPEAK MY MIND (Words And Music - Scott Riley) There are some things I keep to myself Never let on though I know that the time might be right For I don’t want my words misconstrued Something I say might be nearing the point but not quite Coz the mouth doesn’t always interpret the thought And you ears might not hear my words How I wanted for them to be heard If I try to (Chorus) Speak my mind Mind my speech Speak my mind just once I’m no always as much as it might seem Bored with your chatter it just doesn’t matter right now Don’t mean to be short It’s only because I’m preoccupied there’s something on my mind holding sway And I know and I fully appreciate How frustrating it must be But it’s just the same for me When I try to (Repeat Chorus)
6.
WATCHING THE WALLS (Words & Music - Ian Proudlock & Scott Riley) I’m not into doomsday prepping I’m not into being a recluse I just want a solo setting But it seems such a flimsy excuse To be just watchin’ the walls Cocooning myself in my comfort zone now Within these walls I’m keepin’ it all together In spite of it all Haven retreating while I’m looking forward to my release Not planning on staying here forever Some time I’ll be up and away Before I’m at the end of my tether Or cabin fever has its way Still just watchin’ the walls…etc. And when that day comes Only then will I see how much has changed Now will I be ready for it? And will the world be ready for me? Just watching’ the walls…etc.
7.
THE THRILL OF THE CHASE (Words & Music - Scott Riley) We may never be that famous We may never be heroes Maybe we’re a bunch of losers Locked in common throes So let’s enjoy the honeymoon Before the rot sets in And keep defying the inevitable So in the meantime minds can swim With big ideas and pleasant thoughts Never caring if it comes to nought With an upward view and unflagging heart Reach for the sky (Chorus) The thrill of the chase will come again Not a moment too soon The thrill of it all Come on soon Take me now Sure the chances are against it But no-one can say for sure That we’ll never amount to anything Though they’ve seen it all before So there’s no point in not attempting When there’s nothing else to do Keep on throwing down the gauntlet Tell me what is there to lose? Build our own satisfaction Putting plans into action With interest high we’re only set to gain We can but dream (Repeat Chorus)
8.
LAZY DISPOSITION (Words & Music - Scott Riley) Skies are grey and softly so am I With a faint sense of well being Can’t say I’m completely satisfied As I slip into the open arms of Morpheus Not so sure I wanna step outside This place to me is like a sanctuary It shouldn’t have to be a fortress I only ask you let me lazy be (Chorus) Çoz I got a lazy disposition I slump in my seat and I sigh and I yawn I softly slip into submission Becoming deaf to your scorn A Prozac script supposed to bring me up Don’t know if I’ll be bothered getting it filled Always told I should be seekin’ help And always condemned by the straight and narrow I still have days when I hate everything Sometimes gotta find something to dread Mask it all with a dose of poison Nicer views seen through a hazy head (Repeat chorus) I would sleep for years and years I would like to dream No one wake me Comatose body active mind Shut you out leave my head free to clear All the shit collected there And when I die won’t make a ripple As I don’t make a difference Just one less lazy bastard Still won’t be free from persecution (Repeat chorus)
9.
NO MORE BLACK DOGS (Words & Music - Scott Riley) Just lately been lettin’ things get outa hand I’m slowly turning into someone I can’t stand Bad habits creepin’ in and infiltrating my subconsciousness And I’ve come to realise this is not the way to live To put an end to it something has got to give I’ve plumbed the murky depths for far too long in my helplessness (Chorus) No more black dogs I’ve really had enough You’ve had your time and I’ve been doin’ it tough Cut you any more you’ll be the death of me When my ship comes in… Try not to dwell on things I can’t control A nice idea but I need a resolve If I’m to scale the dizzy heights on hold and savour times of joy I grow impatient but I need the time to grow To swim the waves of joy and beat the undertow If I never look back never look down never fall victim to regression Will I reap what I sow? (Repeat chorus) Bring out the broom forget the failures Destroy the doom jettison the jailers Don’t give them the room just let the pale into insignificance (Repeat chorus) Just you wait and see My potential reached There’ll be no stopping me
10.
WASHING MACHINE (Words & Music - Scott Riley) Can I have a spin in your washing machine Can I come in Let me in you don’t know where I’ve been I might do something obscene Yeah I’ll be your dryer You won’t know Can I have a spin in your washing machine Can I can I can I can I come in Let me in you don’t know where I’ve been Can I can I can I can I come in Yeah I’ll be your dryer You won’t know Yeah Can I have a spin in your washing machine Can I can I can I can I come in Let me in you don’t know where I’ve been Can I can I can I can I come in Yeah I’ll be your dryer You won’t know Yeah Can I take a spin Can I take a spin Can I take a spin Can I take a spin
11.
PROFESSOR NICK (Words & Music - Scott Riley) He’s the one who’s there to help you He’s the one with the worthy cause He’s the one who’ll pick you up again When you’re on all fours Come to him when you wanna clean up He won’t just leave you there to die He’s on your side and he won’t simply Hang you out to dry Do your noble work We’re behind you all the way We step aside and salute you Professor Nick He’s the one when your addiction won’t budge yeah He’s got the rockinest clinic He won’t ever be the one to judge you When you’ve a habit to kick He’s got no time for any fanfare He only wants to help you out He’s extremely dedicated Without a doubt Do your noble work We’re behind you all the way We step aside and salute you Do it Professor! Shame you can’t drum for us anymore We really love you back on board Complete the line-up and what’s more Do it justice rest assured Do your noble work We’re behind you all the way We step aside and salute you Keep calm and carry on You pillar of society We’re full of awe and admiration for you Professor Nick
12.
Hurt Me 02:43
HURT ME (Words & Music - Scott Riley) I don’t command any respect from you I know But don’t go thinking I’m enjoying this oh no Do your worst to cut me down And pull the rug from under me Take all I’ve got each little thing And anything to denigrate me You know how to piss me off You can’t do to me what ain’t been done before I’m so used to disappointment and I’m still sore Bullshit me dupe me up Makin’ sure there ain’t no cure Shut me up rip me off Send me up till I’m inure You’re still nowhere near it baby Some come on and hurt me And a pat on the back is a subtle search For a spot to put the knife in So I’ll scratch your back And you stab mine Make me an offer I can’t refuse There must be nothing you can’t abuse Take me where I’ve never been You’ll have to dig in harder now Used up all your credit so You’re gonna have to earn it now Well I’m already in pain So you can’t hurt me
13.
WASHING MACHINE (Words & Music - Scott Riley) Can I have a spin in your washing machine Can I come in Let me in you don’t know where I’ve been I might do something obscene Yeah I’ll be your dryer You won’t know Can I have a spin in your washing machine Can I can I can I can I come in Let me in you don’t know where I’ve been Can I can I can I can I come in Yeah I’ll be your dryer You won’t know Yeah Can I have a spin in your washing machine Can I can I can I can I come in Let me in you don’t know where I’ve been Can I can I can I can I come in Yeah I’ll be your dryer You won’t know Yeah Can I take a spin Can I take a spin Can I take a spin Can I take a spin

about

34 years from conception to completion, recorded and mixed in the midst of 2020's COVID lockdown, this is one album that was certainly worth the wait. Ernie and Scott have delivered 13 songs in 38 minutes of post-punk power pop with the album ‘Born In The Suburbs’.
Lyrical themes range from jealousy, defiance, triumph, fear of being misunderstood, growing up in the suburbs (naturally), living in share houses, wanting to experience white goods in an unorthodox manner, absent drummers who became professors and isolation. Some of the tracks were road tested live back in the day while others are newly written.

"Ïf Elvis Costello, The Sex Pistols and Badfinger had a baby, it would sound like this!” – Ash Naylor, Even

“It’s great to hear a band that’s has that post punk 80’s Melbourne sound and to carry the influences on their sleeves, I really enjoyed this album and can’t wait to hear what Suburban Urchins do next and maybe they’ll ask me to do their album cover." - Josh Lord, Artist

"Reminded me in places of The Records, a great power pop band from the late 70s who my band supported a few times back in the day, especially the lead vocal. More power than pop though, but that’s good for me." - Steve Crancher, Author

"Suburban Urchins kick arse. Do ya self a solid and fuck*n buy it. 5🌟s" - Bruce (BC) Clarke

"Combining all the cool things about OZ Rock from the Easybeats to the Hard Ons, Born in the Suburbs takes you on a journey back in time into 80's suburban Australia. With a hint of Hoodoo Gurus, a dash of Cosmic Psychos and all sloshed together with a smattering of The Meanies, Suburban Urchins bring back this classic time and make it relevant and meaningful in the now. What was old is new and what is new is now rocking the suburbs, just like Suburban Urchins once did." - Farnz Cordeaux, The Silverbeets

credits

released February 22, 2021

Scott Riley - Vocals, Guitars and Percussion
Ernie O - Keys, Bass, Drums, Vocals

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Ernie O at his Urban Fringe Compound
Produced by Ernie O and Scott Riley

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about

Suburban Urchins Melbourne, Australia

Suburban Urchins originally consisted of Scott Riley (Guitar, Vox), Pete Shegog (Bass, Vox), Nick Lintzeris (Drums, Vox) and were soon joined by Ernie O (Keys, Vox). Formed in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia in '86, the band played to many an enthusiastic response. Deciding to reform over 30 years later, it was time to record an album - "Born In The Suburbs" was birthed in the midst of the lockdown. ... more

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