We may have said it before, but we absolutely adore Gaylips. They are funny, vicious, honest to the bone and fantastically talented. We have reviewed their previous single called “Managing Director” in July and we said that we will review everything the duo puts out. The band is now back with an ass kicking and dancefloor breaking song “Betamax vs. VHS” and we are staying true to our word. Be warned – we will be singing their praises loud and proud while blasting the song with every window open wide.

“Betamax vs. VHS” is probably the shortest song we have ever had the pleasure to write about on our blog. It stands at one minute and 48 seconds. I’m starting to think that Carl O’Dell (vocals/bass) and Jonny Watson (drums) are some sort of rock and roll minimalists but they do such a fine job, they could probably write a whole punk rock opera or a musical and you’d enjoy it as much as this short piece. Their strength comes from their contagious energy, punk rock ethos and the ability to write about things that matter with intelligence and wit.

However, I think the main reason why people fall in love with their music is, the band themselves really like what they make. They genuinely love very beat, every word, every note they produce – and it shows. I have seen so many bands singing songs they wrote and I could immediately tell that they were not very pleased with the outcome. With Gaylips things are different – the band puts everything they have into their songs and they are eager to share them with the listener. There is no hesitation, no faking – it’s a joyride, plain and simple.

If I had to compare “Betamax vx VHS” to something, it would be to ride in an amusement park on their biggest, fastest roller coaster. It may not last long but it goes as fast as wind, throws you left and right, up and down, spins you around and all you can do is shout uncontrollably as you go. And when the ride is done, you run to buy another ticket to experience this pure adrenaline rush again and again. I spent 2 hours listening to the song on repeat and I was grinning like a Cheshire cat to the computer screen. Or as the Polish saying goes – like a madman to a half wheel of cheese. After few days of doom and gloom and the national mourning, I really needed that track in my life. It doesn’t matter that it is not a happy tune, that its lyrics are politically charged – it somehow makes you feel better even if the pound is falling against the dollar, the Brexit is still happening and the new prime minister is even worse than the previous one.

“Betamax vs. VHS” is a song about the unavoidable changes in our world. Some changes are good, some are not well thought out, but they are made in the name of the progress. Just like the titular Betamax and VHS, two video formats very popular in the 80’s, now are completely obsolete, replaced by mobile phones, DVD’s and Blue Ray’s. We could claim that this is an improvement, that we have better tools, better technology and we can record videos with tiny devices we hold in our pockets. Yet, we conveniently forget about having less family time, more intrusion, more governmental control. More stress and more mess that we can’t deal with very well.

Despite the challenges that the technology bring us, one thing remains constant. Music is always a source of comfort, entertainment and reflection about ourselves. And as long as we have bands such as Gaylips to point our mistakes and make fun at our own shortcomings, I think we will do just fine.

At least, I truly hope so.

Give Gaylips a follow on social media (you will not regret it):
https://www.facebook.com/Touchedbygaylips
https://www.instagram.com/gaylips75/   
https://www.youtube.com/user/moog891
https://gaylips1.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.tiktok.com/@gaylipsband

“Betamax vs. VHS” is out on 16th of September.

Rita Dabrowicz