If you’ve spent any time in the Western Sydney garage scene lately, you’ll know that The Sooks have been brewing something special. After a breakout year that saw the Eora-based five-piece transition from local jams to major festival stages like The Great Escape and Good Gumnuts, the band has returned with their most cohesive work to date: the six-track EP, 'Wasting All My Time'.
Following the momentum of their well-received single 'Take It Slow', this new collection—helmed by prolific producer Jack Nigro (The Terrys, Pacific Avenue)—marks a notable shift. While their 2024 debut, 'Oyster Boy', was fuelled by raw, sun-drenched energy, this release feels like the morning after the party; it’s thoughtful, slightly bruised, and deeply relatable.
Frontman Corey Fitzsimons leads the charge here, weaving a narrative thread through the hurdles of early adulthood. From the uneasy jitters of 'Kickstarter' to the honesty found in 'Sober (For The Second Time)', the EP balances melancholic lyricism with the kind of soaring, anthemic choruses that demand a festival crowd.
Reflecting on the project's heart, Corey shares: "It’s a real coming of age project - and delves into relationships, being young, dumb and broke, and trying to make it all work out in spite of that. It’s a homage to the experiences we’ve shared and touches on the highs and lows we’ve had together as a band and as individuals. As a whole, it emphasises not letting life dim your shine and doing what you feel you’re meant to do, despite the roadblocks life puts in your way. Make the most of the moments you find yourselves in, and don’t let people, thoughts or states of mind ‘waste your time’ because there’s really no time like the present."
The chemistry is no accident. The Sooks are a tight-knit unit of mates and family, including Corey’s brother Keenan, school friend Jeremy, and Newtown local Flynn. Their shared history bleeds into the music, particularly on the cathartic final track, 'Quit Holding Me Down'.
With a headline launch at Waywards in Newtown on Saturday, 14 March, and a stacked run of support slots for The Terrys, the band is ready to prove they are far more than just "young and dumb."
'Wasting All My Time' is out now on all major platforms. Be sure to give it a spin and follow the lads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or catch them on the road this autumn.
