The Vasco Era

Saturday 17 April 2010

Venue: Oxford Arts

I last saw The Vasco Era supporting Wolf and Cub and they are an impossible act to follow. I can barely comprehend the Vasco Era’s set because I’m just that blown away it is a monstrously powerful thing. Last nights ‘When it first showed up’ (sing her a love song...) absolutely slays. Some bands play, some perform The Vasco Era blew my freaking mind. They break down the barrier between band and audience, vocalist and guitarist Sid O'Neil is all smiles as he dares you to stand around, nurse your schooner, text a friend – Just try. I don’t know how his voice can take it you see his neck veins standing up as he screams a chorus and then can seamlessly go straight to a soft moment. He has a distinctive country like vocal that really suits their sound. They often do a cover of Elvis classic ‘Can’t help falling in love’ (take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you…) which I was eagerly expecting but instead last night to my shock disbelief and delight they played my favourite Smiths song ‘I know it’s over’. You never expect to hear this Smiths song when you’re out it’s always ‘this charming man’ or ‘panic’. What a surprise and what a reflection on the bands integrity and character. Their own songs have no problems with originality. They are amazing. They are unique. They are real. They are a mighty explosion of powerful vibrant noise. They are sweaty and passionate. They are energetic. They remind you not to lose faith in new music. I don’t believe in much these days but I believe in The Vasco Era. Really they are just that damn good. They ended the set with Honey bee (Sweet little honey bee more than just a friend, I’m gonna grow up to be yours 'til the end) and I reeled off into the night, deaf and happy. Best live show I have seen this year; aside from The Black Lips.

The Vasco Era are Sid O'Neil, Ted O'Neil and Michael Fitzgerald. Listen to their songs here.

Surry Hills Festival

Saturday 10 April 2010

Location: Ward Park & Shannon Reserve

Bands: Bearhug, Belles Will Ring, Fergus Brown, Jonathan Boulet

The Surry Hills Festival is presented by the non-profit non-government Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre. The Annual Festival is a major fundraising event for the community based centre’s activities. Funds are raised through gold coin donation.

This year the festival was located across both Ward Park and Shannon Reserve. I preferred this in comparison to last year’s location at the Prince Alfred Park (right next to Central station) as it provided two more intimate locations instead of everything being all bunched together. I also took pleasure in walking along the sunny footpaths between the two stages. There was plenty of music, market stalls with vintage clothes, food and art for sale to keep people occupied. Alcohol was not for sale at the festival this year and punters were encouraged to visit official sponsor hotels; Trinity bar (I am a fan) and The White Horse (Not a fan).

I’ll warn you. I wasn’t very impressed with the line-up. But all the bands were playing for free so expectations can’t be too high.

First band I saw was Bearhug; they reference Broken Social Scene on their Myspace as an influence. Website Twothousand when describing Bearhug say their influences are ‘hardly recognisable, and their sound is definitely their own.’ Implying they have their own unique sound. I disagree; I don’t feel they have a clear sound at all. Watching them felt like listening to a couple of guys jamming. Sparse vocals and too many similar instrumental moments, I thought perhaps Surry Hills festivals poor sound set up could be held responsible but the next band up Belles Will Ring showed what the sound system was capable of; definitely a more professional band. They took to the stage and had a presence. No muffled instruments. Belles Will Ring are seasoned players. They have been around for years and have perfected their live show of ‘beautiful harmonies and one of the best rhythm sections you’ll ever see’ (fasterlouder.com). I have never really been one to appreciate a band with a flute and I’m not really a fan of Belles Will Ring but the professional nature of their performance was clear in comparison.

Fergus brown’s most recognised song is ‘nerds in love’. His myspace says Fergus Brown’s melodic guitar-pop is reminiscent of The Shins, Bon Iver and Ben Kweller. I hear no Ben Kweller in his music but I can see that he may be trying to be like a happier Bon Iver. I find his music uninteresting. His talking/singing style is a drag and tedious to listen to. Drum Media have said "Couldn't be any cooler..An endearing blend of wit and sincerity." It could be a hell of a lot cooler.

And last but certainly not least Jonathan Boulet, the primary purpose and saviour of my day. Described accurately by Modular people as; 'A precociously inspired 21-year-old skate rat from Sydney city’s northwest. Boulet makes a brand of ceremoniously uplifting, deeply colourful pop’. Jonathan Boulet and his merry band of uni and skate friends provoked the most crowd participation of the day. I enjoy their chanting and their tribal like use of drums. A lot of emphasis has been placed on the fact Jonathan Boulet (also drummer for Sydney band Parades) recorded the album by himself and played all of the instruments. Jonathan Boulet on triple j's Like a Version covered Eddy Current Suppression Ring's "Colour Television". Listen here. Scroll across to approx 11 mins in.

I do love Surry Hills festival it is a great day to spend with amazing people. Perhaps some better bands next year though. .

The Frowning Clouds

Thursday 1 April

Venue: The Bald Faced Stag aka ‘The Wall’

Support bands: The Walk On By, Snoozefests, Paper Moon

The Frowning Clouds are the epitome of 60’s. They sound 60’s, they dress 60’s and they have 60’s haircuts. Even though they are not presenting a new sound they are definitely digging it out of the dusty record collections of the past and showing it to new ears. These 5 teenagers from Geelong inspire hope against the plague of modern music; a generation of electro computer sampling falseness with no foundations.

My review is not heralding The Frowning Clouds as the saviours of new music. I mean to say I would like to hear more of what they are doing. I would like to see more bands inspired by 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music playing the Australian music circuit of today.

When I first heard The Frowning Clouds on their MySpace page Sydney band the Dolly Rocker Movement came to mind. ‘The Dolly Rocker Movement’ have been around since 2002 and are similarly influenced heavily by 60’s music but have a more psychedelic sound. I found it interesting to read on the inside cover of ‘The Frowning Clouds’ album in the Thank you section ‘The Dolly Rocker Movement’ are mentioned.

Patrick Emery – Beat Magazine – Nov 2007 when speaking of The Dolly Rocker Movement’s live show wrote “oozes the type of stage charisma you'd associate with the iconic rock stars who now dominate 60's pop memorabilia.” The same goes for The Frowning Clouds. It would not be hard to imagine them on a school girl’s lunch box. They really engage with the audience because they appear like they are genuinely having a good time on stage.

The Frowning clouds debut album produced and recorded by Mikey Young of ECSR and Mickster of Off The Hip is titled ‘Listen Closelier’ and holds many a song about girls. My pick is ‘Snake Charmer’.

The Frowning Clouds are playing MUM @ World Bar on the 30^th April and Mods May Day on 1 May at the Sandringham hotel Newtown.

An extract I enjoyed from The Frowning Clouds MySpace page:
“Primarily about Jangley textures, wild rhythms, throbin’ beats and wishful thinking instead of elongated guitar solos and ponytales we prefer to show what you can achieve as a sect rather than an individual of the group getting the spotlight, and dont say that shits quaint cause it ain't! mother”

I like this band a lot.