Last Dinosaurs - 3 May 2012, The Zoo

w/ Millions, Gung Ho

Since the release of their debut album, In a Million Years, Last Dinosaurs have been marking their territory. With sold out shows across the country, it was a privilege to attend the final show of the tour. Also, this show marked the second sold out show in their hometown of Brisbane, just to top it off. Millions and Gung Ho joined them around the country on this tour, for the most part, and it was great to see both bands play the final show of the tour.

Opening the night were local natives Gung Ho. I stand by what I said when I saw the band open for Bluejuice three weeks ago: I love what they are doing instrumentally, but vocally, the band annoys me a little. But you know what? Having said that, by then end of the set, I was catching their vibe. I was feeling the entirety of the music they were creating, and I kind of liked it. Guitarist, Michael McAlary, is one phenomenal musician, and he is what makes me like this band. Their “new song that doesn’t have a name” was a good tune and I, for one, believe deserves a name.

The final two songs of the set were again the bands’ two singles, but tonight they mixed up the arrangement a little, with both men in front singing together. As much as the vocals are growing on me, they still shouldn’t sing together. It’s a little too … off.

Millions were up next. This is a band that I have heard mentioned a million times in passing but had yet to hear anything of musically. I now ask myself, why!? This band is awesome. Even with the guitarist being out with a broken wrist, I know I need to hear more form this band. Because of this injury, the band borrowed Last Dinosaurs' frontman, Sean Caskey, for guitar duty, as well as a couple of other friends.

These lads create fun music that makes you want to dance, with some really interesting beats and rhythms. Also, their bass player was freaking sensational! A rather talented young lad. They had a really good mix of songs, changing up things with triple feel ballads, before returning to upbeat tunes they do best. The band's latest single “Slow Burner” was a definite highlight.

This brings us to Last Dinosaurs. They have really stepped up their production of a live show since the last time I saw them. They now come packaged with a projection screen. And while it does enhance the performance, I thought it a little unnecessary, especially for a venue the size of The Zoo. But, in saying that, it did show that the band is a cut about your average local indie band. Moving on.

This band certainly know how to work a room, from the opening song they had the crowd moving and dancing like the crazed hipsters they were. One thing that pleased me was the fact that the frontman has lost his storytelling mannerisms on stage. Where previously he had told elaborate stories about the origins of songs, he now keeps it simple and streamline, and only introduces the song with a concise spiel. “Andy” was one of the biggest hits of the night, along with the band's two closers, “Honalulu” and “Zoom”. The band covered a mash up of two songs, “Lady” by Modjo and Sophie Ellis Bextor's “Groovejet (If this Ain’t Love)”. It was a moment of pure gold. So, so well done.

I believe Last Dinosaurs have really stepped it up a notch. They were pretty much flawless, and such a tight ensemble. They have come a long way in a relatively short period of time. In saying that though, we did have to wait a hell of a long time for this album to drop. Was it worth it? I vote yes!

Bluejuice - 14 April 2012, The HiFi

w/ The Cairos, Gung Ho

After many a festival gig, Bluejuice have returned to the touring scene in support of Company, the band's third and arguably most successful album. Joining them on this psychedelic adventure were The Cairos and youngsters Gung Ho.

Gung Ho are an interesting kettle of fish. In one breath, I love them, and in the next I immensely dislike then. Here’s why: the music they create with their instruments is flawless. Each and every song has a different drum feel, which keeps every song sounding different and unique. Same with the guitar and bass riffs - they complement this intrigue created by the drums. I love it. However, I believe that the vocals that sit on top of this sensational instrumental work muddle it, and make the band sound weaker than they really are. I believe a band to be a whole package kind of experience, and I’m just not sure about Gung Ho.

It has been over a year and a half since I last heard even a whisper from The Cairos (shame on me), and they have completely come about! Their sound has matured from sounding like the garage band next door to something worthy of praise on The HiFi stage. “Listening Party” is still an amazing song, even though it is now classified as “one of their older songs”. Their new songs, in comparison, have a vibe that I think has that little something else. By the time they hit their two Triple J hits - new single “Shame”, and “We All Buy Stars” - I was set that this band are definitely a force to be reckoned with. Except maybe the drummer. He just looked bored through the entirety of the set. Like it was all a bit of an effort for him to be there...

Bluejuice. Let’s put it this way; they certainly don’t disappoint when going for an entertaining show. Frontmen Jake and Stav are born performers. The band once again donned their fluro coloured, ultra-violet costumes and stage decorations for the occasion, and in The HiFi, it looked sensational. Something certainly has to be said about their set list. They begun with “Can’t Keep Up”, and it all went up hill crazy from there. It also showcases tracks from across their three LP releases, with, sensibly, the majority coming form their latest, Company. But what I love is that they still play songs like “Vitriol”, “Work”, and “(Ain’t) Telling the Truth”. Like their coastal tour, they were joined on stage by two female backing vocalists, which gave the vocals a little something more. This was especially necessary when Jake decided to go for a little crowd surf or a walk along the side wing railing. If you’ve ever been to the Brisbane HiFi, you will appreciate this. He made it almost to the lower mosh pit stairs before his mic cable ran out of length and he had to be reeled back in. That is certainly something I’ve not seen before!

Something else that was most impressive was the use of the data projector to accompany their performance. There were faces mouthing the words to songs – perfectly in time, I will add, as well as lyrics floating across the screen and a whole song worth of semi-censored porn. But my personal favourite was the accompaniment to their second to last song “Act Yr Age”. If you haven’t seen the video clip for the song, watch it right now, and then read on. This particular visual featured Jake and his granny lady-friend in some more ‘encounters’. There was neck nuzzling, there was pashing, and there was some unseen business going on downstairs. You can’t help but love it.

In all honesty, this band are one of the live acts to see right now. They are over the top crazygood. Everything slotted together to create one hell of a show, and something they can be proud of.