THEATRE OF THE ABSURD!
December 2004
THE SOUND OF SUBVERTS
One of the original wave of bands to embed itself inside the Rokarja AST
camp, Subverts was probably one of Malta’s first rock bands with an
alternative edge to its music. Prior to their advent, the local scene
was predominantly hard rock, but all that started to change when the AST
complex was launched, and bands like Davy Jones,
Abstrass and The Rifffs started to venture beyond traditional rock
for inspiration. Having returned to Malta after living in the UK for a
good number of years, Mike and Pete blended their imported influences
with the talents of other local musicians, an exercise that led to the
definite line-up including brothers Alex and Chalkie and classically
trained singer Pauline on backing vocals!
Initially, Subverts’ sound was less defined, less streamlined, probably
because there was no ‘official’ preferred direction. Furthermore, their
music seemed to be inspired more by ideals than music. This may or may
not have been the result of a combined DIY punk attitude and the
moralistic modus operandi of the new wave of rock acts that was taking
over the global scene at the time, but in the end, it gave Subverts an
identity. This they complemented by flaunting an image worthy of all the
bands they were inspired by and admired. Meanwhile, the band was also
growing musically. The songs revealed more texture, the arrangements
more complexity, while the balance between ideals and tunes started to
level.
This growth was also taking place behind the music and the band’s
decision to enhance its live shows with visual props such as fireworks
or themed slideshows, plus the fact that they did not abandon their
rebellious political stance, was fundamental in attracting a respectable
and loyal following. Subverts wrote songs about religion, war, death,
grief, social outcasts, but also hope and passion. Despite all the
serious topics however, the band also had an optimistic side. They knew
how to have a laugh, they didn’t take themselves too seriously but
always made sure that the band was taken seriously. They were adamant in
promoting live music and resisting the threat of the dreaded discotheque
invasion that even back then, threatened the local music scene. Looking
back now, it might at first seem like the discotheques won the battle
after all, but the fact that the local music scene is still thriving
means that the efforts of Subverts - and all the bands of their time and
even before them – have in fact been effective and successful after all!
The Subverts line-up went through a significant change around the end of
1985. When Mike left, guitarist Robert Longo was recruited in his place
while Pauline stepped forward to take over the vocal duties full-time.
The line-up was not the only change that Subverts made either; the band
explored new musical terrain, applying a stronger rock vein that did not
shed its alternative roots, while Pauline’s intense soprano voice gave
the overall sound a unique quality that was practically unheard of at
the time, as songs such as Break The Chains and Theatre of the Absurd
prove only too well! The band did last until around 1988. After that
Alex and Chalkie teamed up with original Subverts member John Borg,
bassist Kevin O’Neill and Mike Bugeja to form a new band, Something In
Ash. Sadly, after only a few months, drummer Charlie ‘Chalky’ Cutajar
died tragically in an accident at the Malta Drydocks in December of
1989.
Read more about
Subverts
here!
