Caution Boy Premiere “Consolation” Video; Alligator Out Now

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Pretoria, South Africa’s Caution Boy released their 10th full-length, Alligator, last week through Mongrel Records. That’s 10 albums released in about five years, mind you. True some of the recordings date back much further, but 10 records of anything is an impressive milestone to reach, however long it took to get there. And these aren’t just rehearsal room jams. Caution Boy play songs. Catchy songs. Varied songs. Rocking songs. Formerly a solo-project of guitarist/vocalist Andi Cappo, the band enter Alligator as a trio with Treveshan Pather playing bass and Archie Kinnon on drums, and of course that has an effect on the material, the dynamic. Cappo had worked with a range of guests on records like 2018’s Spastic Plastic or 2017’s 2016-2017, but as I understand it, Caution Boy have never been a full band in this way, and Alligator is the first offering they’ve had through Mongrel.

Those who follow or are aware of the label’s oeuvre will maybe recognize the (co-)production hand of Evert Snyman (Ruff Majik, solo work, etc.) on “Consolation,” a video for which is premiering below. The post-Songs for the Deaf desert-style fuzz and crunch of guitarcaution boy alligator tone on that topical, hooky album highlight extends to brash, punkish cuts like “Ever the Optimist” and “Mutual” — more Mondo Generator than Queens of the Stone Age, though not as willfully mean — as well as the grungy “So Sick.” “Consolation” arrives as the third piece of an opening salvo before “Ever the Optimist” goes deeper into aggression, with the opening title-track setting a careening, urgent tone (Snyman guesting on piano helps that) that the Melvinsian starts and stops of “Silence the Screams” gleefully bashes to bits like Rob Crow got mad at a thing. Speed wins the day, but “Swallow Me Whole,” like “Consolation” and really the rest of what surrounds ahead of the comedown-until-it-isn’t closer “Hue,” it’s clear that songwriting is the underlying focus. Seems highly unlikely a band gets to its 10th album otherwise. If you want to write songs, you need to write songs. There’s your deep-rooted insight for the day.

Because Alligator is already out — I’m late to the party, as ever — you can stream the eight-song album in its 27-minute entirety. Is that a full-length? They call it one, the songs flow together, and with the punkier aspects, arguing seems even more like a waste of time than usual, so yeah, it must be. In any case, unassuming though the amount of your busy day Caution Boy might take up with these tracks, the numbers are deceptive. Having listened once, one might be inclined to, say, put Alligator on again. One with less prior experience with the band’s work — like myself — might then be inclined to dig further back to 2019’s Vice Versa or the aforementioned Spastic Plastic to hear some of the differences between Caution Boy as a solo-project and as a full group, which, yes, do exist, despite a consistency of influence and a somewhat irreverent point of view. From there, who knows where one might end up? For what it’s worth, 2016’s Chapter 1-11 (Eleven) has plenty of hooks too. Have fun.

Video and PR wire info follow here.

Please enjoy:

Caution Boy, “Consolation” video premiere

Caution Boy on “Consolation”:

“Consolation” is a mirror held up to society, reflecting the reality of the pandemic generation. This is laced with glorified glimpses of the good times before & hopefully the good times to come, symbolized by karaoke, which is almost like a traditional pass time across the globe. This also symbolizes the transition for Caution Boy, which started as a solo project, performed as as 1 man “karaoke from hell” to a full band.

“Consolation” is an alternative dance punk rock homage to the covid 19 pandemic. From how the powers that be capitalized on the weak, to the individuals who were too stubborn to take precautions, to the internal & external struggles that go hand in hand with isolation.”

STREAM + ADD THE NEW ALBUM: https://orcd.co/alligator

The times are changing… and so is Caution Boy, what began as a demented, alternative punk rock “karaoke from hell” solo project; has metamorphosized into a monstrous trio, whose only mission is to destroy stages, ear drums & the normalized standards of society. Andi Cappo on the strings & screams, Treveshan Pather on the oh so low notes & Archie Kinnon on hides & twiggs.

What started as a sardonic reference to the cheesy phrase “see you later, Alligator”, turned into a ferocious animal, relentless, waiting to tear you limb from limb. It was inspired by the ruthless actions & reactions to orbiting the vicious virus spreading across the planet, from the effects of isolation to the political impacts, to the death of people near & dear to us.

The first recording dates just so happened to fall in the first week of South Africa’s (seemingly never- ending) lockdown. In the months that followed the mindset and songs started to change, some were dropped, new ones were written, and others became more relevant than ever. It is composed of eight high energy, pedal to the metal songs that Andi describes and “barely an album” – with a cheeky wink and his tongue in his cheek.

The bands latest album is co-produced and recorded by the band over a few days, spread over a few months from late 2020 to early 2021, with Evert Snyman (Pollinator, Ruff Majik) from Pariah Studios in the co- producer’s driving seat, and in charge of the recording, mix and master.

Caution Boy, Alligator (2021)

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Caution Boy on Instagram

Mongrel Records website

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Mongrel Records on Instagram

Mongrel Records on Bandcamp

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One Response to “Caution Boy Premiere “Consolation” Video; Alligator Out Now”

  1. Ted says:

    Keep flying that Saffa flag high boys. Well done. Happy Heritage Day for the 24th – I’ll celebrate it with the obligatory braai but the highlight will be buying your new album.
    Lekker day further! (#128578#)

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