Chimney

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Chimney" by The Southern River Band, a high-octane track from their 2019 album Rumour & Innuendo, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This song, described as a "relentless white-hot boogie," is a perfect fit for the station’s vibe, with its massive riffs and shake-your-hips grooves. Frontman Cal Kramer has shared that "Chimney" tells a story of hope inspired by a former coworker struggling with crystal meth addiction. He envisioned it as a pump-up anthem, joking that it’s the kind of track a UFC fighter or wrestler should use as entrance music. The song’s raw energy and gritty narrative make it a standout, capturing the band’s reputation for delivering a face-melting rock ‘n’ roll experience.

Another layer to "Chimney" comes from its production at RADA Studios in Perth, under the guidance of producer and band guitarist Dan Carroll, whom Kramer calls an “absolute wizard.” The track was the first single released from Rumour & Innuendo, dropping on May 17, 2019, and it quickly gained traction with fans and critics alike. The band’s relentless touring in 2019, including sold-out shows at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club and Cherry Bar, helped propel the song to a global audience. Fans on social media have praised its raw, 70s-inspired sound, with one Facebook commenter noting it feels like “Foreigner with a touch of Lynyrd Skynyrd.” The music video, released in June 2019, added to the buzz, showcasing the band’s larger-than-life energy.

The Southern River Band hails from Thornlie, Western Australia, a suburb they cheekily acknowledge as obscure. Formed in 2013, the four-piece outfit—led by the charismatic Cal Kramer—started as a local act playing to small crowds. Within a year, their explosive live performances turned them into one of Australia’s most exciting new rock bands. Kramer, known for his Van Halen-inspired vocals and velvet flares he sews himself, has been the driving force behind their rise. The band’s early days were marked by relentless gigging, often playing anywhere with a stage and a PA system, from sheep-shearing sheds to dive bars. Their 70s glam rock influences, mixed with bluesy riffs and a party-hard ethos, earned them a cult following and comparisons to acts like Steel Panther and Motley Crue.

Their big break came with their 2019 sophomore album Rumour & Innuendo, which showcased their refusal to be pigeonholed, blending power pop, brawny blues-rock, and even country-tinged reflection. They’ve since shared stages with heavyweights like Cold Chisel, Wolfmother, and The Darkness, cementing their status as a must-see live act. You can keep up with their latest antics on their official website, thesouthernriverband.com, or follow them on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans, or “River Rats,” as they’re sometimes called, gather in places like the Southern River Band Fan Club on Facebook, where they share gig photos, trade vinyls, and rave about the band’s epic live shows.