THE KITTYHAWKS: HOLD YOUR FIRE SINGLE REVIEW
The Kittyhawks are at it again with their debut single release 'Hold Your Fire', from the forthcoming EP 'Silence After Sunrise...' The Kittyhawks hit the scene in 2023 with their single 'Danger In The Middle' following it up with their Debut Album 'From Brass To Bullets' in 2024 and the June Single release 'The Devil's Offbeat' (you can read our review here.) Ska Punk is always a good decision, so let's dive straight into Hold Your Fire.
Trigger warning for discussion of Drug Addiction. Hold, hold your fire, Now I better not see your gun or I'll call you a liar, Just so I can believe, Hold your fire. One of my favourite things about Alternative music is the willingness to speak about uncomfortable and tough topics. Drug addiction rips across this planet, destroying lives, families and communities everywhere it is found. It is extremely uncommon to find someone who hasn't been affected in some way by drug addiction and instead of shying away from that, The Kittyhawks have dived head first into the situation, shining a necessary spotlight on the issue. As someone who has a person on their Family Altar who died from their battle with drug addiction, I beg of you to please seek help if you are caught in the grips of this horrific disease. Dive one more time, Into the depths of my soul where the shadows reside. Such a freeing disease, One more time, I wanna change the way you see me, A set of Daggers that just hides behind your eyes.
'Hold Your Fire' is a powerful track about resisting the pull of addiction and self destruction. Driven by a ridiculously catchy horn hook that won’t leave your head for weeks and featuring a face melting ending, the song contrasts a serious message with a defiant punchy sound.
Caught in the glare, I'm drowning in your eyes, feeling scrutinised, The addiction's a tease, One more time, Scars, they don't show, In the wreckage of my life there's still a little glow, For this battle I've seized. Musically The Kittyhawks have produced a song that is simultaneously catchy and poignant, with those all too familiar ska horns and bouncy drums while
containing an undertone of grit and lack of control in its shadowy corners. Hold Your Fire begins with a bubblegum pop atmosphere, as if you are feeling the effects of the drug for the first time. The song shifts to something slightly menacing as the track continues and the story moves towards the notion of finding yourself in addiction, feeling the way you are judged by others and the social ramifications of being in that situation. Finally the track transforms entirely to a darker sound as you are pulled fully into the inescapable clutches of addiction. The Kittyhawks are like a master class in lyrical and instrumental connectivity when it comes to story telling. The wave of despair that gripped me during my time listening to Hold Your Fire was honestly hard to shake for hours afterwards, pulling forward all of the memories attached to my own personal experience with those surrounding me suffering from addiction. Tides turning, tip-toeing, Gnawing madness escaping, Turning over a shaking leaf, Slowly crawl, momentum's changing pace, Through The carnage find your grace, Catch myself from falling, Cause fire burns.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline is free and confidential on 1800 250 015.
The Kittyhawks will be on tour with Fishbone this September, in Adelaide at The Gov on the 21st and at 170 Russell in Melbourne on the 23rd. You can grab your tickets at the link below:
For Fans Of: Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, No Doubt and Mad Caddies
9.5/10
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