BIG AND LOADED come from Austria. The band consists of five young men from Styria and Carinthia. From Haiderland, there are not only national coke noses with a penchant for megalomania but also people who completely reject this attitude and make punk rock.
At least that's what BIG AND LOADED consider punk rock.
BIG AND LOADED understand punk rock as lounging in scantily clad promotional images with girls.
BIG AND LOADED understand punk rock as portraying themselves in promotional images as golfers, gymnasts, computer experts, and riders. Only the depiction of guitarist Christoph Habenbacher as a flutist has a hint of humor. The rest strongly smells of middle and upper-class kids who look somewhat decent, have parents who pay for everything, and are always well-protected. Of course, they also want to have fun and really rock out. Sure, they want to belong. To achieve this, they formed a band in 2009 and played what their iPods had to offer. There was music on it that the guys thought was cool. For example, Blink 182, Zebrahead, or 5Bugs from Berlin. Since the ears of the five Austrians had not yet been spoiled by terrible punk rock, they quickly learned and played exactly this sound, which was supposed to be cool. At least some other people in the EU country south of us thought so too. Thus, BIG AND LOADED became known almost overnight and played at the Nova Rock Festival in 2010.
Now the debut album “Another wasted weekend“ is on the shelves, and it looks like the chapter “On the Way Up“ for BIG AND LOADED is set to continue.
It is well-made music for people who like Blink 182 and love the works of the Berlin 5Bugs. These are also bands that are well-known and understand their craft.
Especially the 5Bugs have worked their way up from the bottom. Their first demo CD is still with me, so I know what I'm talking about.
The similarity to the 5Bugs probably comes not only from listening. BIG AND LOADED also recorded their debut in the “Daily Her Recordings” studio. The studio belongs to the 5Bugs and is operated by guitarist Flo. This is not to say that Flo did a bad job. Quite the opposite. The recording is certainly exactly how BIG AND LOADED wanted it.
However, as already mentioned, BIG AND LOADED have nothing to do with punk rock. At least nothing with the punk rock that is why punk rock is called punk rock.
For those who don't care and who enjoy fluffy, catchy college rock, they will love BIG AND LOADED. It is the soundtrack for the last year of high school, for a trip to the “Spring Break” party, and for a carefree summer.
