Track of the Day: Azim Zain and His Lovely Bones “Punk Don’t Pay The Bills” (2020)

Azim Zain

Last week saw Azim Zain And His Lovely Bones release his new single “Punk Don’t Pay The Bills”. The single, which features Vic Austin, is taken from Azim Zain’s forthcoming debut album Be Good – set for release November 13th. 

Band leader Zain, was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, before moving to Adelaide at seventeen to finish high school. He then moved to Canberra to study at ANU. During his time in Canberra, Azim Zain and His Lovely Bones gained notoriety within the Canberran music scene, becoming famous in the punk scene for their raucous live shows, sing-a-longs, and DIY aesthetic. 

“Punk Don’t Pay The Bills”, like its parent album, Be Good has an almost quintessentially Aussie punk aesthetic and sound. And yet, Zain is not Australian (yet). And thanks to visa related issues, he won’t be able to release the album alongside his friends and his colleagues in and amongst the punk scene and the wider Australian music community. 

The single, is both a reflection of his revolt against his life plan, and a reluctant realisation that despite fighting for a career in music, a more conventional profession may eventually win out. But it’s also the sound of a band leader letting go, shedding that last bit of imposter syndrome, and taking his rightful place amidst the scene. Despite what the official documentation might say, “Punk Don’t Pay The Bills” is amongst the best that Aussie punk has to offer, and is full of heart and passion. 

“Punk Don’t Pay The Bills” is out now. Be Good is out November 13th.

Find Azim Zain & His Lovely Bones on Facebook and Instagram.

Simon Clark

Books Editor. An admirer of songs and reader of books. Simon has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature. All errant apostrophes are his own.