I haven’t held a physical CD in my hands since receiving David Bowie’s Earthling from an ex-beau several years ago. Needless to say, I was pretty damned stoked to hold in my hands Physical Only by Baby Schillaci.
However, I faced a conundrum: how would I listen to the EP when I only had a record player? A coworker who came to the rescue also made one of the best, if not the funniest, comments about music I had heard in a long time: “They sound more British punk than I expected.” I couldn’t help but laugh since he assumed Baby Schillaci was an Asian band based on the cover art of Physical Only.
Contrary to the assumption, Baby Schillaci is firmly rooted in the UK. The four piece of Tom Richards (guitar,vocals), Richie Lewis (guitar,vocal), Andrew Evans (bass) and Tom Williams (drums) released their debut single, “Radical” in February 2023 and haven’t stopped moving and shaking things up since.
“Radical” is a fantastic introduction to the world of Baby Schillaci. The song is infused with the spirit of punk predecessors and reminiscent of the lyrical prowess of The Clash and Sex Pistols and sonically akin to that of Social Distortion and Green Day. It reverberates with duelling guitars, intelligent groovy bass, energetic drums, and vocals that invoke rebellion. Listening to “Radical”, one can’t help but want to bounce around the pit while simultaneously raising their fist in protest.
The second track on Physical Only is one of two songs exclusively available on the CD. According to the band, these songs will never be released on any streaming platform and let me tell you, Tom was not lying when he said,
They are genuinely the two best songs ever and you’ll never hear them unless you own the CD.
Goddamn “Be Mine” is captivating and infectious. It features a gorgeous wailing guitar that zigs and zags through the vocals and is accompanied by a soul-crushing drumbeat. If a song could wield a sword, “Be Mine” would be that song, as Baby Schillaci absolutely kills it in the song.
As a response to Baz Luhrmann’s “Everybody’s Free”, the third track, also the third single, “Dead Wrestlers” combines everything that is great about “Radical” and “So Bad”. It takes the sticky riffs, catchy beats, and thundering bass to the next level. I previously wrote that the brilliance of the song is not within the music alone, but in the lyrics themselves. The band unapologetically explores adversity and death with cunning and smart lyrics that makes one think and question.
In an era where music and lyrics can be easily created, programmed, and polished by technology or artificial intelligence, having the chops to create music and write lyrics that connect to a living being is a magical gift. That’s what sets Baby Schillaci apart. They pour their heart and soul into their music, and it can be heard, felt, and seen. They’re not a band to rest on modern technology or on their own laurels. Their pursuit of crafting a song that is better than the one before shines throughout Physical Only from start to finish.
When I first heard “So Bad”, my very first thought was ‘Holy S.H.I.T!’ The predominant star of “So Bad” is the bass and Andrew creates a thrilling and menacing tone that matches perfectly with the lyrics and vocals. Baby Schillaci hone in on the ominous, sinister, and foreboding by delivering a sound that is dirty, gritty, filthy and heavy, yet simultaneously seductive, alluring, electrifying, and (a)rousing.
Closing out Physical Only is the last track that is exclusively available to the CD. It quickly became my favourite Baby Schillaci song. Like its predecessor, my first few words were expletives when I first listened to “Spit”.
The band saved the best for last with “Spit”. If you need one reason to get Physical Only, “Spit” will give you 6 minutes and 10 seconds of excellent reasons. Good, god, all mighty, it’s tremendous.
Tom W. starts with a hauntingly beautiful kick drum and his meticulous and precision sharp drumming in “Spit” is like a boxer aiming for the TKO. Accompanying Tom is Andrew, his rhythm partner in crime, with a trance inducing riff.
The groundwork laid down by these two allows for a captivating interplay between Tom R. and Richie on the guitars. The warbling guitar riff echoing against the acoustic elements creates a mournful and enthralling mood.
If the brilliance of “Dead Wrestlers” lies within the lyrics, then the brilliance of “Spit” lies within the music. The band unapologetically strips away any preconceived notions of their sound and defies any attempt to pigeonhole them in any specific genre or style.
Their defiance proves the undeniable talent each band member possesses, but it’s their collective force as Baby Schillaci that makes them an irrefutable and unstoppable band.
Physical Only will leave a mark on the hearts of fans and a physical mark in the world. The five songs not only showcase the talent of Baby Schillaci to continually evoke, invoke, and provoke through music but also allows their intricate musicianship and brotherhood to shine through.
Don’t be left scouring the internet trying to find a copy of Physical Only, grab a copy of Physical Only before it’s too late.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: All 5 songs
FAVOURITE TRACKS: All of them but “Spit” has the number one spot in heart right now.
