Regurgitator, Custard, Kate Miller-Heidke, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Screemfeeder, Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side, Little Scout
I don't know how to even begin thinking about this line-up. Only a natural disaster could bring together such a talented bunch of people. Not to mention reunite one of Brisbane's greatest band of the 90s! Custard! After the line up that was Laneway, follow it two days later with this, and my musical dreams have almost been fulfilled. I kind of wish I had been this age in the 90s so I could appreciate these bands in their peak as well as all the weird and wonderful musical sensations that were the 90s. Sigh.
Opening the night was the big talent that is Little Scout. I have never heard this band sound so loud! Given I've never heard them in a bigger venue than The Troubadour, but still, this was a little much. For me, the thing this band have going for them is their quirkiness, which mainly comes from drummer Miro Mackie's riffs. Tonight however the kit was so heavy that these light idiosyncrasies were lost in the mix. This especially happened in 'Shakes and Rattles' where the kick over powered everything else. I would like to see this band continue to hold on to that quirkiness that makes me adore them, but if this is more the direction they are heading in, so be it. Regardless, their new material is solid, and I do look forward to hearing it on record.
Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side were up next, and while I appreciate what they have going on, they're not my cup of tea. I did however marvel at their frontman and his antics. He has so much energy on stage, and that combined with good musical ideas is what makes a band. Its one thing to play well. It's another thing to look sort of interested on stage, but it takes something special to capture a crowd just with the antics of even one person in the band. I'm not saying that this band didn't play good music, they most certainly did! It's just not my particular cup of tea.
See, now Screemfeeder are amazing. I swear I've never heard the sound system at the Hifi quite this loud before. It kind of blew my mind, and my ears. Like Gentle Ben, but in a completely different way, I really didn't enjoy Screemfeeder. Just so obsenely loud! I actually don't get it. I tried to appreciate this band, I really tried. But when all I can hear is a kick drum, and the bass with a hint of guitars and a tiny inkling that the vocals, it's a little difficult. Maybe it's because I actually like to listen to the lyrics of songs. I believe that this is where the heart and soul of an artist comes to life. And with this band, I couldn't get anything. You can be a loud band while still being able to get the vocals above the sound of everything else in the band. On record it's probably a completely different story, but these are my thoughts on the subject, and I shall say no more.
Hungry Kids of Hungary took to the stage next with their particular brand of awesomeness. They played through their power set with such an ease that it brings the crowd (or at least those who made the perilous journey to the front) to life from the word go. So Remy is now officially a member of this band. Hurray! He brings another personality to the already brimming presence that they have on stage, and also fills out the texture of both the instrumental and vocal sides of the music. I do particularly like how his voice blends in with the harmonies, and adds that extra mmm.
For me, it's been probably two years since I had seen Kate Miller-Heidke live. I think the last time was at the Tivoli, years ago... Anyway, since then she has toured around the world, most recently with the obscenely talented Ben Folds. And what a difference a couple of years can make in regards to the growth of a musician. While she has lost none of her quirkiness musically, she brings a much more reserved approach to her set, augmenting it tonight with guest harmonies, and a hint of rhythm. From what I understand though, she has been recently just been performing as a duo with Keir. And this actually works surprisingly well. I had reservations about the 'acoustic' set, but like I said, she has grown so much since last I saw her, and really honed her flair for performance. (It's not like it wasn't there in the first place though). Also, Keir is a freaking ah-mazing guitarist.
I still can not believe that I witnessed the reform of Custard! It's actually quite the mind blowing! This is the first club gig they have played in 10 years. And you know what? I actually have no idea where to even begin with these guys. For one, they played about 15 mins over time, and you know what? I think that would have totally been ok with everyone in the room! I don't know if I am qualified to do justice to this set. It was beyond anything I could have possibly imagined. And probably one of the best sets I have possibly ever seen.
Regurgitator have always been in my life I have recently found out. It may be quite naive of me to say this, but you know when you are exposed to music, but you don't really take an interest, then realise who it is later in life and go a little bit nuts? Yeah, this happened to me a week ago. In acquiring Regurgitator's music off my brother, I realised that I could belt out the lyrics to more than a couple of their songs without even trying! I also realised that I do love this band, and had forgotten them. Woops... Anyway, their set this night was incredible! I would never have thought that I would see myself at a Regurgitator gig, but you know what! I loved it, so very very much! Highlights for me were easily 'Polyester Girl' and 'Fat Cop' but you know what, they did no wrong. I was a little disappointed that they left off some important singles, but fingers crossed tomorrow night's set will cover these missing songs!
This gig could quite possibly be the greatest thing I will ever see! I just do not see how it can be topped. The artist that got me into the live music scene, Miss Kate Miller-Heidke, one of my favorite Brisbane bands at present, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Brisbane legends Custard, and Regurgitator. I do not see how this will be topped... Wow. That is all.
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