Today, Melbourne ska punk band The Resignators drop their new single Bluebird Tattoo. The song tells the story of Melbourne’s most unique music and fashion movement of the 1970’s, the Sharpies.
The Sharpies were a multicultural group of “pre-punks” (localised to Australia and primarily Melbourne) that embraced a very specific style of fashion, haircut and dancing. They heralded the beginning of Aussie Pub Rock, and despite negative press due to their tendency to rumble between rival Sharpie gangs, they lasted over a decade and contributed to the rise of careers of AC/DC, Lobby Loyde and the Coloured Balls, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs.
One of the most common icons for the Sharpies was a bluebird tattoo, the song tells the story of how many years later, two Sharpie lovers remember each other fondly every time the see their bluebird tattoos. When they danced they could make it fly!
Bluebird Tattoo sees The Resignators at the peak of their form combining ska punk with rock on what is without doubt one of the bands finest songs to date. Blistering guitars, thumping bass, melodious keyboards, driving drums, a military like horn section capped off with one the most anthemic choruses from a ska punk band you’ll hear this year.
Bluebird Tattoo is a more balanced blending of ska punk and rock without becoming too much of one or the other. The Resignators’ take on ska is heavy and they tend toward raucous rock with something of a ska twist, but most of all they make you dance!
