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!
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