Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Hungary Kids of Hungary - 18 October 2012, The Zoo

w/ Gung-Ho, Jeremy Neal

It’s been over a year since Hungry Kids of Hungary toured the country and they’ve come back with a sensational new show filled with the old, the very old and the very new.

Opening the night at The Zoo was Jeremy Neale, fromtman from Brisbane favourites Velociraptor. What a crazy good performer that guy is. He does, unfortunately, need to learn crisis management. He broke the sixth string in the opening song, and it threw him completely. He went on to play the next tune, and it obviously wasn’t working well. A text message and a borrowed Hungry Kids guitar saved the set from being a total disaster, but still. For the set, I particularly liked the uncluttered stage: two guitars, a Bass and a drummer. No extra fluff, just four musicians doing what they love. Music wise, the band work really well together, especially when they bring their saxophonist to the stage. In a nutshell, well-dressed wholesome fun.

Gung Ho. They have really stepped up their game since I last saw them. No longer do they sing the same vocal parts together. This is a good thing. I love the instrumental work they do so very much. In the new songs they are playing, they feature this even more, to a point where there was a completely instrumental song with no vocals detracting from the splendour. I have no great love for this band, but what they’re doing on this tour shows that they have matured as a band and command the stage.

Where do I even start with Hungry Kids of Hungary? Opening with “The Vacationer” they hit the nail right on the head, and got the party started right then and there. In the set they previewed five new tracks, including current single “Sharp Shooter”. I am personally most excited about the track that goes along the lines of “I don’t mind if you’re having a good time”. Such a stellar track! Another thing that was brilliant about this set for long-time fans was the inclusion of the tunes “Old Money” and “One By One”. The band has evolved so much from when they recorded those tunes, and it was fascinating to see to how they had been reworked.

The new touring guitarist, ‘Uncle Benno’ as he has been nicknamed, is a sensational inclusion. He brings so much more than another guitar part and another set of vocals; there’s a presence that works really well with the rest of the band. Dean admitted mid-set that it had been a while since they’d played a show this long. The hour-long set was something new from the band, and not just because of the new tracks. They have a refreshed attitude and demeanour. This is a good thing indeed.

There are so many exciting things coming from the Hungry Kids it’s insane. With a new album dropping in March of next year, there’s going to be one hell of a lead up to something fans will be longing to get their hands on. Gear up, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

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