BAITS: All Fillers and No Killers?

Can an album title lie to you? Yes, it can. The four members of the Austrian band BAITS call their second studio album “All Filler No Killer”. Yet, what’s inside is exactly the opposite of what’s written on the outside. Is the album title a subversive critique of an aging rock star’s megalomania? It’s not exactly clear. But one thing is certain: the album contains no fillers, only killers. The quartet, centered around the magnetically charismatic frontwoman Sonja Maier, serves up 11 absolute hits on “All Filler No Killer”, oscillating between Nirvana, Weezer, Hole, Ramones, and Amyl and the Sniffers while still maintaining a unique, unmistakable identity. Punk is just the base camp. From there, the four-piece band climbs musical heights that couldn’t be more different. Whether it’s a danceable pop song, a captivating garage rock track, a harmony-rich punk anthem, or a hard-hitting number for the mosh pit – all these songs have one thing in common: they first burrow into your ear and then straight into your heart. But the brain isn’t neglected either.

It’s about power, gender, privileges, and injustices. The singer doesn’t make any prisoners, but she is always aware of one thing: the situation may be hopeless, but not always serious. “All Filler no Killer” is held together by drummer FAZO666FAZO, who also shines as an extremely competent producer. What remains is the impression that the band has evolved to a higher level. BAITS’ second effort sounds tighter, more rounded, and technically more sophisticated at every moment than its already impressive predecessor. In conclusion, “All Filler No Killer” proves that BAITS know exactly where they are headed, which is straight to the top.

An Appeal for Emancipation. The rising band from Vienna, Baits, unleashes with ‘Sleep with You’ (Noise Appeal Records) a powerful song that drives us through the emotional worlds of exhaustion in the face of the seemingly insurmountable patriarchy. The quartet cleverly combines musical influences of legendary 90s bands from Olympia, Washington, with the poppy lightness of Mac DeMarco and the Baits’ own rock sound.

Lyrics like ‘Can you tell me why are you so sad? You so pretty, but your face looks mad. Can’t you just put a smile on your little cheeks?’ reflect the everyday sexism experiences of the singer Sonja Maier, while the song also creates a common space for empathy and collective resistance. With ‘If you can’t take us, we shall burn your reign,’ a call to raised fists and burning hearts is elegantly made. Best enjoyed at sunset at the next festival or in a club on the Germany tour this March.