SNAKEHEADS IN CELEBRATION OF PETE LUSTY, SNAKEHEADS RELEASE SINGLE ‘SHIT I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR (FEAT. A. SWAYZE)’ – OUT NOW

by the partae March 15, 2021

written by the partae March 15, 2021

SNAKEHEADS IN CELEBRATION OF PETE LUSTY, SNAKEHEADS RELEASE SINGLE 'SHIT I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR (FEAT. A. SWAYZE)' - OUT NOW

On the 15th of March 2020, we lost our dear friend and Ivy League Records founding father, Pete Lusty to cancer. It’s a loss that resonates throughout every single member of our Ivy League family – artists, staff past and present, friends, family, and fellow travellers. We loved him. Without Pete there is a hole in all of our lives that we will never, ever be able to fill.

Exactly one year on from Pete’s heartbreaking departure, Ivy League Records are proud to release the debut single from Snakeheads, a posthumously named garage band partnership between Pete and his lifelong friend and collaborator, James Roden (John Reed Club, The City Lights). The song, ‘Shit I Don’t Have Time For’ is a musical white-knuckle celebration of Pete and James’ older siblings record collections (Buzzcocks, The Jam, The Clash). Featuring one of Pete’s favourite Ivy League artists, Andrew Swayze from A. Swayze and the Ghosts on lead vocals, the song perfectly encapsulates the vitality and endless energy that Pete brought to everything he did, and that swept up everyone in his orbit.

LISTEN: ‘Shit I Don’t Have Time For (feat. A. Swayze) – Snakeheads

The origins of Snakeheads date back Year 7 aged 12 years old when they met and bonded over music. Fast forward to 2014 with Pete and James both back in Sydney together after Pete’s many years traversing the globe managing the likes of The Vines, Jet and Empire of the Sun, the two high school friends were eager to return to their roots. They started jamming together every Monday night (“turning the worst night of the week, into the best”), playing only ‘70s English punk and US hardcore. “We only wanted to play what we loved at 15 years old, with no pressure and no point,” says James. Backed by Kit Warhurst (Rocket Science, The City Lights) on drums and James’ brother Harry (Hoolahan, The City Lights) on bass, the band entered the studio with long-time friend and legendary Australian producer Wayne Connolly in February 2019 to record the fruits of those Monday night sessions.

Like everything in life, when something is right there in front of you, tangible and touchable, you can’t imagine it going away. Like every band, Snakeheads thought they had more time: time to tinker; time to talk; time to record more songs. Tragically, as Pete’s diagnosis arrived and his health declined, that time went from infinite to finite. The seven songs they recorded together were close, close enough to give comfort and a sense of purpose after Pete died. Something to focus on, something to finish, for Pete.

The unending absence began. Music has always been cathartic and now it was traumatic. With Wayne, Kit and Harry, behind him, James began the journey of going through the recordings. Ivy League wanted to help and celebrate the life of its co-founder.

The first single to be released from the recordings is ‘Shit I Don’t Have Time For’. Ivy League’s Andy Cassell suggested Andrew Swayze from A. Swayze and the Ghosts sing the lead vocal. AS&TG were one of the last bands Pete signed to Ivy League Records and epitomised the music, style, and attitude that shaped his life since his early days in the suburbs with James.

Remember that feeling when you’re 15 and drop the needle on your new favourite record? It’s that same energy and passion that is encapsulated in Snakeheads’ debut single. Even the name Snakeheads is a nod to what they might have called their band as teenagers and a reference to Pete’s piercing ‘snake-eyes’. It’s also an audible testament to two best friends (and each other’s best men at their weddings) who both drew inspiration from and championed each other for life. A tangible celebration of their essence. They had each other. In cahoots till the end.