Mercoledì 14 Mar 2012, 22:28
This was the original line-up for the show:
Next Time Hearts
Mink Mussel Creek
Perth Mint
Jeff Strong
The Body of John
The Government
Teflon
But The Body of John had pulled out because of a rumoured altercation with a member of another band on the bill.
Next Time Hearts
The first band to play was Next Time Hearts, but I didn't arrive in time to see them. I've seen them on other occasions, and they're good. Their lead singer/guitarist dude reminded one of the girls that night of Michael Hutchence. Their sound is rock with a bit of pretty melody thrown in here and there. I'm not sure how I'd describe them properly though.
Mink Mussel Creek
On the night of Digger Rock, anyway, the second band up were Mink Mussel Creek, who are absolutely incredible! At the time, most of the band seemed about 16, but they still blew most other musos out of the water. When these guys played, people couldn't help dancing, gaping at the stage, cheering after every song, etcetera. Bruna got me a setlist afterwards, written out in marker on a piece of cardboard from a Melbourne Bitter beer box. Hehe. The only song I remember from looking at the list is "Gyppo", as it's written. It's actually called "Gypsy Lady" I think.
The frontman is incredible. He ran off the stage a few times, dancing down near the pool table. Then when he was on stage he didn't care if he got bruised or broke his leg or anything. He was doin' it for the people. I told him after the show (as I'm sure countless other people did) that his band is awesome and I can't wait to see them again. I told the drummer the same thing. He really looked a bit older, but still he could've been 18 or something. The lead guitarist is amazing too - his fingers go nuts on the strings. He's way better than Andrew Stockdale! (They kind of remind me of Wolfmother, not so much 'cause of their sound but…I dunno, maybe the lead guitarist's afro had something to do with it…*lol*)
Something happened for the band during their set - they picked up a manager! She looked like a funky kind of chick, with heavy eye make-up but in a doll kind of style. She was absolutely smitten with their sound and they agreed to take her on as a manager. I think she was utterly stoked.
Perth Mint
Following on from Mink Mussel Creek were Perth Mint, featuring members of the mighty Fuzz! Namely Doug May, a Fuzz guitarist. Doug's sister [Abbe May] (the Fuzz's frontwoman) was there too, and as we watched Perth Mint she told us she'd been practising her drumming as she was going to drum for one song. She even had a bandaid on her palm from all the practise.
Perth Mint have a cool sound, one I'd describe in brief as "funky" and "gritty" (but I'm sure others could come up with a better description). They're basically "no frills rock". The two guys (Doug and the other whose name I can't recall) swap places about halfway through the set I think, so Doug started out on drums and the other guy on guitar, and then they swapped. There was a band I saw at the Amplifier who did that…I think I saw that band with mum, the night we saw the Tucker B's and couldn't stop laughing.
Jeff Strong
After Perth Mint came Jeff Strong, who as Bruna says "plucks at your heart strings". He plays acoustic guitar in a rather dazzling way, and has a wonderful stage presence - much energy and individuality. He's a quirky guy, and he and his girlfriend really do make an interesting pair. The girlfriend got up again to sing one of his songs with him…and I don't know what the song's called. But I might ask him via MySpace actually! ;) Right, I just asked him.The song I remember best from this set was called "I'm No Good At Working Out Who I am". And the duet with the girlfriend was "You're Really Drivin' Me Crazy". Now back to your regular schedule…
The Government
Taking The Body of John's slot were The Government, who took the longest to set up since they have so many members. ;) Despite a few members being quite late, the band did manage to set up on time. Front man Ken did his usual thing with the soundman: "Hey Bernie…what's going on? I can't hear a FUCKING THING." Etcetera. But for the most part, the show went smoothly. They got through the show and played a really good set. They got a good crowd, and there was the "circle of death" at the front that has been mentioned before, at least until they started "Ain't Superstitious" and the keyboardist Bruna called for everyone to get up the front and dance. "Come on!" she yelled into her microphone. I was one of the first to get up the front, and was soon joined by some friends. There were lots of people I didn't know up the front dancing, too. Bruna got down off the stage and danced with us. I swung her around a bit and she gave me the tambourine to play with for a while. ;) A few of us sang the words to the song: "Why…oh why…oh why?" which Ken growled from the stage. Followed by the famous "Well well well!" repeated a few times. I really do love the way Ken sings, he's great in that respect - and he's a good bassist too. I do believe that was his last gig with the band.
The Government finished their set to some rowdy applause. I think they're realising it's good to play second-last because people haven't disappeared yet. Teflon were headlining but the vast majority of people departed (whether to go out the back or actually leave the venue), which was a bit sad. But oh well, shit happens! It was a Tuesday night after all. :)
Teflon
Finally Teflon played. I don't know the other members of the band but a friend's boyfriend (Jesse) was the lead singer and guitarist. The band was pretty good, they were kind of jazzy funky stuff I guess, but I really can't stand the rapper dude - whose only purpose is to rap. And he doesn't even rap well. Maybe I'm biased, as someone who doesn't really like rap…but I'll say that Layla, for example, is so much better than this guy. Mum said, "Maybe he's learning?" Maybe he is, but he's ruining a good band in the process!! I told a friend my opinion and said the guy needed to get off the stage. After the guy got off stage for the last few songs, they (in my most humble opinion) sounded heaps better. Unfortunately for Teflon the crowd really had thinned out, but at least there were some people left, in particular a bunch of four or so people who were really getting into the music and dancing madly around.
Anyway…that's all for the actual sets.
To top off the Mojo's portion of the night I'll share a quote that deserves to become famous: "Has anyone seen a pair of two front teeth?" One of the band members had misplaced his! Thankfully he found 'em. ;)