Note: This is the second time that I have posted this article. After writing the article the first time, I learned that I had mistakenly conflated The Basics Rock ‘n’ Roll Party with the Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll Party, so that in fact most of what I had written was inaccurate. I apologise for the mistake, which is very embarrassing all round. And I can assure you that I definitely have the right party now…
Before I start this commentary, can I just stop and say how incredibly disappointed I am that HEMP has chosen not to contest this election. I mean, we have the Sex Party. We have the Rock’n’Roll Party. But where is the drugs party?
I think you will agree that this is a real missed opportunity in the Australian voting experience.
But I digress, as usual. The Basics Rock ‘n’ Roll Party is a party so new that it just squeaked in ahead of the deadline a few weeks ago, and does not yet have an official website, other than the band website and their FaceBook page. Band website, I hear you ask? Well, yes. The BRRP is a political party formed by the members of The Basics, an Australian band comprising Wally De Backer (Gotye) and Kris Schroeder and Tim Heath. According to Wikipedia (because I am rubbish at pop culture), their style is either indie-pop, rock’n’roll, or pop rock, which I presume has nothing to do with pop rock sweets, and now I really want pop rocks (does anyone have some?). I’m guessing they would define themselves as rock’n’roll. Just a little hint in their party name, don’t you know…
Also, I understand that their most recent album, The Lucky Country, released just over a week ago, is very political. So the good news is, any advertising campaign they run is likely to have better than average musical accompaniment.
(I am suddenly seized with an almost overwhelming urge to go find their album, listen to it, and see if I can discern anything about their policies from it.)
Let’s start by looking at their Group Voting Ticket.
