The Chats – the greatest post-millennial punk-rock group in the world, hands down – unleash their first new tune of 2022. A fast, furious, 100-second blitz from punk heaven, ‘Struck By Lightning’ shows the Sunny Coast trio revitalized post- pandemic and toting a ripping new guitarist, Josh Hardy.
The single is the first since The Chats’ epic touring plans (including Coachella) were totally decimated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. What promised to be a summer of career-affirming festival appearances with the biggest bands on the planet, turned into what might have been a torturous two years at home.
The Chats, though, were unperturbed by lockdowns. “It was actually great to have a bit of time, to be like, ‘All right, what’s our next move?’” says vocalist Eamon Sandwith. “Otherwise, who knows, we could’ve just had a bloody Oasis moment and self-destructed!
They’re also fatalistic about the departure of previous guitarist and addition of Josh Hardy of The Unknowns to the band. “The new bloke, Josh – he fucking rips, man! He’s been a good friend of ours for years. His band The Unknowns were the first band that were our age on the Sunny Coast – before we’d even formed The Chats. In the early days, they were a full-on rockabilly band, and he had the quiff. He’d comb his hair back and stuff, and we just thought he was the fucking coolest guy ever.”
The Chats have just this week been announced as support for Foo Fighters on their December Perth, Brisbane and Sydney shows. Until then, the trio are scheduled to resume their UK dates (from 2020), hit 30+ North American cities including Aftershock Festival and headline their own European jaunt.
Looks like the ol’ two stroke from Sunny Coast has officially roared back to life. Buckle up.