Track and Field #2 - 25 November 2011, The Arena

Bleeding Knees Club, Deep Sea Arcade, Velociraptor, Gung Ho

Track and Field #2. Where to even start! New venue, new bands, all round awesomeness. Its predecessor in June at the Old Museum was a hit, and this one was no different. Tonight, at The Arena, the boutique music event played host to Gung Ho, Velociraptor, Deep Sea Arcade, and Bleeding Knees Club, along with a whole bunch of DJ sets from the likes of Little Scout and Naysater & Gilsun.

After some sweet DJ tunes from the Unnecessary Knowledge 4ZZZ presenters, Gung Ho graced the stage. Here’s the thing; I swear, that according to the set times provided, they started late and finished early, and played for only 15 mins... However, what the band played was awesome. Some well-written tunes that I wished more people could have heard. Also, I become a bit of a Nazi with some mannerisms bands pick up when playing live. Please don’t apologise to the crowd and say, “don’t worry people, we’ve only got two more left, then Velociraptor will be up.” That’s plain stupid! Let people make up their own minds about your music. I, for one, loved it, and am now on the hunt for more. Love what you do, love making music. Isn’t that the reason you play in a band?

So, Gung Ho finished early, and Velociraptor started 10mins late. Leaving the Unnecessary Knowledge duo with a 50 minutes of set change to fill. Bet they didn’t plan for that... When Velociraptor finally did grace the stage with their presence, they really got the party started. This band is completely off the rails, and their hyped-up music really does make you feel like dancing. It’s infectious. On stage, there were four guitarists, a bass player, a chick on synth, a drummer, and their frontman. Eight in total. And from memory, there are usually twelve in the group. Tonight’s line up had all seven guys singing at one point or another, while the chick did not. I felt that there was a case of overlapping musicians, but each band to their own. The sound they did create was something truly incredible though. So in-your-face. I have to commend the band for having the guts to start late then proceed to play the entire planned set, making them finishing late. Kudos guys.

After some DJ tunes from the members of Little Scout, Deep Sea Arcade played some tunes for the more than welcoming crowd. This band can do no wrong. No matter what the venue, how big or small the room, they kick ass! Tonight’s set sounded quite a bit fuller than the last time I heard them play, and it works really well in their favour. Their new single, “Girls”, was being launched at the event, and it really was a fine event to do so. Also, it’s a great new track from the band. I still can’t go past the band's other hits “Don’t Be Sorry”, “Lonely In Your Arms” and “Keep on Walking”. All of the singles are truly special, and I cannot wait to hear more of the new material the band is cooking up for us.

After another very, very short DJ set from Little Scout, Bleeding Knees Club brought the night to a close, guns blazing, with their high-energy tunes. It was quite funny to watch the crowd; half were moshing, the other half standing back just chilling. As I was listening to their set, it occurred to me that almost all of the chord progressions for their songs came from the stock standard rock band chord progressions! They made it their own in a way only the Bleeding Knees Club can, but still. I hadn’t noticed that before...

The night was an amazing success, and both those at Amplifire and Mucho-Bravado should be very proud of their efforts. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Guineafowl - 18 November 2011, The Zoo

w/ Mosman Alder, Glass Towers

Another week, another gig at The Zoo. This time around brings the infectious Guineafowl, celebrating the release of their new single, "The Lie Is". Guineafowl never cease to entrance me with their sound, but it was the stupid the lack of people there were at this gig! I know, I know. Harvest. But! There were so many other awesome gigs on this weekend and I think sadly, they were forgotten. Well, It sucks to be you! You missed something special!

Opening the night were Glass Towers. This band tonight was another first for me and they were solid! They played to an empty room, but they still put on an enterraining show. Unfortunaltely however, they were a little one dimensional for me. The single "Lino the Lion" held its own, but alas, the other songs seemed to blur into a mush. The frontman had a voice that stayed in the one vocal range, which I think contributed to this. Something to ponder: what's worse than a drummer who speeds up? A drummer who follows when the bass guitarist speeds up. It was a little awkward. Sorry guys.

Mosman Alder, a band that I loved the first time I heard them, but the more I hear them live, the more they lose me. A thing that annoys me when listening to a band, if you're going to thank your audience, give them a chance to think for themselves and decide if they want to applaud your work before you thank them. This leads to obligatory applause, which is... well, onligatory. I also feel as though they have some useless members in their band. For example, the keys player basically doubles another instrument in every song. Whether it be tje violin, guitar or even the vocals. She never really had a part of her own. The thing that sustains my love for this band is the frontman's voice. His rich baritone is sensational, and makes up for almost everything.

Until Guineafowl took up the stage, the night had been a little less than memorable. But as soon as Master Guineafowl and his entourage walked on stage that all changed. The forst thing on their agenda? Get the crowd to the front of the room. And then the fun started. From the word go, they were out guns blazing. They played all the tracks from their debut EP, released earlier this year, as well as quite a few newbies. I can't go past "Botanist" as a dance track, but "Little Fingers" is all kinds of awesome in a completely different way. Theur new single "The Lie Is" takes the badn on a slight deviant to what they have been producing, in saying that however, it is an incredible new single. They finished the set with a sensational cover of The Cure's "Close to Me". And as soon as they started the song, it occurred to me that no cover could be more perfect for the band. Their encore tune was another newbie, and something that is much more reminiscent of what we're used to hearing from the band.

Needless to say, I am so very excited to hear what this band is cooking up. All I know is, it should be stellar if what I heard tonight is any indication.

Tim Freedman and the Idle - 11 November 2011, The Zoo

w/ Gossling, Holland

So, I've been to The Zoo on mroe than a couple of occasions and this is the first time I've sen rows of chairs set up at the front in preparation for a gig. Also, when I got there about a half hour after doors, there were less than 50 people in the room. Both of these things surprised me. I would have thought there would have been people lining up around the corner to get in to see Tim Freedman. Apparently not...

Opening the show were indie rockers Holland. I'd never hear the lads play before, but after tonight, I know I have found a new band to watch out for. The set opened with frontman, Jarryd Klapper, basking in the spotlight with a solo songs accompanied by his acoustic guitar. His voice was unexpectedly light with none of the heaviness I would have typically guessed by looking at him. A pleasant surprise. This seamlessly moved into the bands next song, which picked up the temp and brought in the full band. Upon hearing the full band, it again surprised me. I had the guys completely stereotyped in my head, and I should know better by now not to do that. They were the perfect genre to open for Mister Freedman. Subdued indie rock at its finest. 'No Control', the bands' latest single was definitely a track that caught the ears of the audience. One thing though. When Jarryd was singing, everything was brilliant. When he was speaking however, it was most awkward. If you're going to speak, just got for it! You can't be coy.

The charming Gossling was up next, with a set I was quite looking forward to. Having first heard her play a half hour set at BIGSOUND a couple of months previous, I was keen to hear her in a space where people weren't coming and going and making a racket. Not that element of tonight gig were dissimilar. I had been blown away by her stunning and unique vocals at BIGSOUND and I was blown away all over again tonight. She was joined by a couple of friends for the set, a bassist and a drummer and truthfully, It's amazing just what a difference it made to her live sound. After a couple of solo songs, she performed a cover of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool's 'Dance the Way I Feel' something she had previously recorded with Triple J's - Like a Version. My two picks of the set, 'The Only Way' and her final song 'I Was Young'. My, she's one pretty amazing young woman, and I hope she goes very, very far.

And Tim Freedman. Where do I even start? First, I shall make a disclaimer: this is my first time hearing his voice in a live setting, so forgive me for what I am about to say. OH MY! His voice is like sex on a stick!! As soon as he opened his mouth and the first note came out, it was like I was transported to another place and time. He played a selection of songs from his first album in six years, "Australian Idle" as well as some favourites we know and love from The Whitlams. His new band The Idle are a diverse mix, but damn! They produce an awesome sound. While each is talented in his or her own way, Mister Freedman's duet with guitar/keys player, Amy Vee, was a touching song that was brilliantly executed! The keys heavy ensemble were a joy to listen to, and their hour and twenty minute set seemed to pass in a plash. For me, this is the sign of something truly special.

I was moved by the amount of talent in the room this evening, and not even the drunk person sitting next to me shouting charged comments could stop my from saying this was indeed a splendid gig.