This post is definitely not for anyone under the age of 18.

It’s not for the faint-hearted, either.

It is, however, for all the female-identifying individuals out there who see themselves reflected in the charismatic punk rock personality that is Amy Taylor (but are too shy to admit it out loud). You’re not alone.

PART 232 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE

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To set the record straight, there are four musicians in Amyl and the Sniffers.

Aside from Amy Taylor on vocals, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens, and bassist Gus Romer make up the pub rock band. They are also credited as co-songwriters on all the records the group has released so far. Aaaaand they tear it up on stage at every gig, just like Amy. So the last thing I want is to diminish their contribution to the band or reputation in the music biz, overall.

But I’ve followed the Melbourne-based outfit long enough to know that the spotlight is on their badass singer. That’s what being the frontwoman entails, after all. So you guys will have to excuse me this time because this post is dedicated to “Me And The Girls”, to reference my (currently) fav song that closes the new album.

And on that note, what a collection of belters the 2024 Cartoon Darkness is. I’ve reviewed the previous record, the 2021 Comfort To Me, which sounded like one giant fun statement back then already. But these 13 new tracks are taking it to a new, bonkers height. Especially when you hear them in a live setting, which I’ve just recently experienced at the BBK Live festival in Bilbao.

The band has been gigging relentlessly in the last few years. Their appearance in Spain in July 2025 was the penultimate gig in this leg of their current world tour. But they’ve probably been on the bill of every major festival you can think of, including every muso’s wet dream, The Glasto (aka Glastonbury), twice already.

Plus, they currently have over 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone and more than 600k followers on IG. Not a bad result, hey?

So one thing’s for sure: Amyl and the Sniffers have been on a “speed of light” kinda ride since the group was formed.

They’ve worked hard for it, though. They might have been known in the local Melbourne scene beforehand, but the digital world first heard about the punk rockers sometime in 2016. A decade (well, almost) is enough time to gain the well-deserved music industry recognition and popularity amongst global audiences. So I won’t reinvent the wheel when I list the elements behind that “Amyl and the Sniffers phenomenon”.

Firstly, their songs’ relateability is undeniable. I mean, check out these two lines from “U Should Not Be Doing That”:

I’m working on my worth, I’m working on my work, I’m working on who I am

I’m working on what is wrong, what is right, and where I am

They are what everyone everywhere all at once is trying to figure out these days, too.

Secondly, yes, the tracks are pretty raw. But they’re also catchy AF. And, by the way, the band’s sound has significantly evolved compared to their previous releases. The riffs are more elaborate. Aside from the usual chanting/screaming/rapping verses, Amy proves that she can sing pretty well if she wants to on this album. And there are even attempts at some ballads this time round.

Finally, if you throw the singer’s stage presence and charisma on and off stage into the mix, the recipe for success is pretty much complete. Which brings me to my main argument.

Here are the six reasons I want to be Amy Taylor when I (don’t) grow up:

1. She sings about the stuff the world (normally) doesn’t want to hear

Take the lyrics from “Knifey”, a track from the previous album, Comfort To Me:

All I ever wanted was to walk by the park

All I ever wanted was to walk by the river, see the stars

In case you haven’t guessed, this story is about us girls being afraid of walking alone after dark. Scared and constantly looking over our shoulders (speaking from experience) while the predators walk free and unbothered. Because, sadly, in our culture, randomly chatting up women, following us and calling us names when we don’t pay attention still feels like the twisted norm.

Where is that conversation in the media told from a female perspective, hmmm…?

Or let’s talk about a different song, “Tiny Bikini”, from the new record. Here’s an excerpt from it:

I just wanna wear my bikini

I just wanna wear my shorts

There’s too many snags at the party

So I’m just gonna walk

Does it seem a little naive or silly, even? Maybe. Especially since Amy delivers it in a sweet, girly voice. But this track advocates for the freedom of expression for women (and everyone else, for that matter), without constantly being subject to societal judgment. Because, you know, the media normally portrays it as “she provoked him wearing that mini skirt, so she deserved it.”

Amy Taylor says it’s not okay. And I second that.

2. She employs the language women (stereotypically) shouldn’t use

My mom will not be impressed with this point – she thinks I use way too many profanities. But, like Amy Taylor, I believe that letting a big, round, juicy F-bomb – where appropriate – hits the nail on the head.

Here’s a fun fact: Women are considered the fair sex and a gentler version of the human race. And in many aspects, we live up to those expectations. But we do have feelings, too. And guess what? In today’s day and age, waaaaaay too many situations in our lives deserve a stronger and more on-point reaction than “Darn it” and “Oh, dear”.

Let’s be fair. If someone is “a dumb c*nt” (like the character in the song “Jerkin'”), or if “Me and the girls are gonna go party, you and the boys can shut the f*ck up” (from “Me And The Girls”), then it is what it is. Period.

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So to all parents, whose teenage kids might listen to Amyl and the Sniffers one day, linguistic purists, who’d want everyone to talk like royalty, and people who generally get offended by swearing, this is not a pro-cursing manifesto. I’m pretty sure Amy would agree.

But sometimes (and I wanna stress that again – when the occasion calls for it), if you don’t serve it straight up, the message just hits a wall. It’s evident that “please” and “thank you” no longer do the trick. So if this is what it takes for women to finally be heard, then the outcome justifies the delivery.

(On a side note – it’s also scientifically proven that “Swearing Is Actually a Sign of More Intelligence”.)

3. She challenges the (unfair and unsubstantiated) image of a dumb blonde

When you read Amy Taylor’s bio, it states that she is an artist and activist. So trust me – her hair colour doesn’t prevent her from speaking out.

I’ve only seen Amyl and the Sniffers live twice, but I’ve also watched heaps of footage from their gigs. To my knowledge, Amy Taylor pauses for a moment between the songs at least once to mention the Indigenous peoples of Australia and how they deserve utmost respect back home at nearly every performance. And because I’ve been in the crowds when she’d share that, I vouch for the fact that punters do pay attention to her words.

I challenge you to point me in the direction of many other “whities” who are not afraid to admit that they are “the settlers” or “the colonists”.

But that’s not all. Despite the huge criticism and outrage (on the part of those who should actually be doing something about it) that many outspoken bands (think Kneecap and Bob Vylan) have lately been facing, Amy still consistently takes a stance on the Palestine issue. Even though it means touching on a controversial and uncomfortable topic that – again – is portrayed in a pretty one-sided way in the media.

So I also ask – how many musos, in general, can you name that have the guts to do that in a world where speaking your mind is no longer sexy? (No, Tom Morello doesn’t count.)

Lastly, here’s a story of an unfortunate lesson learned in the Amyl and the Sniffers story.

I’m not sure what exactly went wrong at the Sydney Festival in 2022, and how the band hadn’t heard about the event’s financial backing by the Israeli government before committing to perform. But once they were made aware of it, Amy and Co. felt it was the right thing to donate their festival fee to an NGO supporting Palestinian children.

Because we all make mistakes. But how we recover from them is what ultimately counts. So who’s the dumb one now?

4. She is an (unlikely?) fashion icon

What comes to mind if you think of a punk singer? Let me guess: a leather skirt, all-black attire, greasy hair and goth make-up.

Well, think again, because that’s not what you’ll see at an Amyl and the Sniffers concert.

I truly admire Amy Taylor for all the effort she puts into every performance when it comes to the aesthetic part of it. And I love how contradictory it comes across sometimes when she sings: I’m a top bitch (in “Jerkin'”).

Last time I checked, it was possible to be a pretty girl who dresses in a feminine way and be a strong woman who cares about the world around her and has formed her own opinions about global affairs. Yes, at the same time.

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Interestingly, the fashion world has been taking notice of Amy Taylor’s original style from the very beginning.

Back in 2018, she was photographed by the legendary French artist, Hedi Slimane. And it’s worth noting that he normally works with stars with a long(er) history in the music biz, like Kim Gordon, Iggy Pop, Lady Gaga or Joan Jett. Funnily, the Aussie singer recalls that she didn’t even know who he was when she was invited for the shoot. Very Amy Taylor-like, I’d say.

Just recently, the Aussie singer has also been featured on the cover of the Portuguese “Vogue”. And if that’s not proof of becoming a fashion icon, then I don’t know what else is.

5. She is (exceptionally) good at what she does

It’s all the simple things, really.

She’s the full package: a great lyricist (see points 1 & 2 again), an entertaining muso on stage and a colourful personality the media loves covering (me included).

She shows up to gigs and she shows up on time. Plus, she smashes the shows with incredible energy and enthusiasm you can’t really fake.

She shows up to the interviews and all the publicity-related events. And she doesn’t talk nonsense.

Actually, she generally shows up. And that’s key in this tricky industry, where, most of the time, you have to fend for yourself.

Lastly, and most importantly perhaps, it looks like she’s still having heaps of fun doing all of the above.

6. She gives zero f*cks about what people think of her, (respectfully)

I reckon the first single from the new record, “U Should Not Be Doing That” demonstrates that best. So I’ll just leave you with some of its lyrics:

‘Cause I was in Tokyo, popping shit off
While you were down in Sydney trying to get jacked off
I was in London, being the Queen
And you were in my head saying, “You should not be doing that”

I know my worth

I was in Naarm, working on my shit
While you were down in Tassie saying, “Flash those tits”
I was in Gadigal, showing off my flesh
While you were up in Brizzie, trying to tell me I can’t do it like that

So if you haven’t yet, listen to Cartoon Darkness when you get a chance. And everything that I’ve just been rambling on about will make much more sense.

_{Cover photo: Sergio Albert}

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