Cigarettes (Ain't Helping Me None)

The Zoo Crew is spinning a killer track tonight, "Cigarettes (Ain't Helping Me None)" by The Southern River Band, pulled straight from their raw, live album Live from Rada Studios. This song’s got that gritty, diesel-soaked vibe the Zoo Freaks love, with strutting riffs and vocals dripping with swagger. One juicy bit of trivia comes from the band’s own words about their recording session at Rada Studios in June 2021. They described it as being "live and on the piss," meaning they were probably a few drinks deep, channeling pure rock ‘n’ roll chaos into the performance. The track clocks in at a tight 2:49, but it packs a punch, capturing the band’s electrifying live energy that’s earned them a rep as Australia’s modern rock torchbearers.

Another tidbit about "Cigarettes (Ain’t Helping Me None)" is its place in the band’s live set. Fans on Facebook have shared stories of the song igniting crowds during The Southern River Band’s national tours, with its lyrics hitting hard for anyone wrestling with bad habits or rough nights. The song’s raw honesty, paired with its boogie-rock groove, makes it a standout on the Live from Rada Studios album, which was pressed on white vinyl for collectors in 2022. The band’s Instagram posts from the studio sessions show them in their element—sweaty, grinning, and fully dialed into the music, giving fans a glimpse of the no-holds-barred vibe that went into cutting this track.

The Southern River Band kicked off their journey in 2013, hailing from Thornlie, Western Australia. This four-piece crew—known for their larrikin charm and tight musicianship—started grinding in local pubs, building a following with their high-octane blend of hard rock and southern boogie. Their bio on SonicHits notes how they quickly became a staple in the Aussie rock scene, supporting heavyweights like The Darkness, Wolfmother, and Amyl and the Sniffers. Their breakthrough came with relentless touring and festival slots at Groovin The Moo and Splendour XR, where their infectious energy hooked fans. By 2022, they’d snagged the W.A.M. Rock Band of the Year award, cementing their status as a force in modern Australian rock ‘n’ roll.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, you can catch up with The Southern River Band on their official site, thesouthernriverband.com, where they drop merch and tour updates. They’re active on Facebook, sharing live clips and fan shoutouts, and their Instagram is loaded with behind-the-scenes shots and tour life snaps. On X, they keep it real with quick updates and cheeky banter. Fans have also built a solid community on the Southern River Band Fan Club on Facebook, where diehards swap stories, post gig photos, and hype up new releases. It’s the perfect spot for Zoo Freaks to join the tribe and keep the rock ‘n’ roll spirit alive.