Dallas Crane at the Camden Barfly
- Posted on March 30, 2007 5:09 PM
- 0 comments
By Katie Spain
You know you've had a good night when your ears are still ringing 24 hours later. You also know you've seen a cracking band when you miss your bus stop because you're too busy scribbling down notes of praise on the way home.
I may have dragged my sorry little butt through my London doorway a tad late last night but the Australian Music Collective Showcase at the Camden Barfly was worth it. Then again, Aussie headliners Dallas Crane were never going to do anything but impress.
I love the Camden Barfly... sure, it may be rough around the edges but it has an aura about it. You can't help but get the feeling that. Maybe it's the scrawled writing on the wall... the memories and rock thoughts scratched into the walls. "Team Shambles", "Hadouken"... and random names amongst the big ‘uns. It's raw, the bands are in your face and it's just the way fans like it.
I met a couple of the devoted Australian music and arts ambassadors from Austrade there and in a bid to see the bands up close and personal (with an uninterrupted video camera vantage point), wiggled my way up close. Not that I needed to worry during Deja Voodoo's set. The New Zealand foul mouths didn't draw the crown in close... but then again, I think we were all a bit too scared. You can tell a crowd to "F--- Off" once, do it before, after and during every song and you're asking for some front row space. Have to say though, I loved these guys... I guess when you're good and you know it, you can afford to be loud and proud.
The four-piece hail from Auckland and is apparently made up of the same guys that make the Television show 'Back of the Y Masterpiece Television' and more recently the prison comedy 'Bogan's Heroes'. Maybe I've been away from home too long but I don't have a clue what they are. Enlighten me if I'm missing out. Anyway, some hard hitting tunes, fun lyrics and a real entertainment factor meant thumbs up for me. Decide for yourself with the video footage I snapped up.
NEWS FLASH: I'll be interviewing the guys next week in the lead up to their gig at Islington Academy on April 5th. Post any questions you have for them in the comments section.
Aussie Spod graced the stage next... though grace probably isn't the best choice of adjective. The guy jerked about the stage like a puppet without the string - when he was on the stage that is. In white shorts and a red shirt, he cut a unique figure - shaggy haired and completely zoned straight into the music (and the moment). Songs like "Come on you party people - let's fuck" set the scene... and I'm sure, if he'd wanted to, he could do just that after the set. The crowd loved him. Most people found themselves in a big, sweaty musician embrace, others had their photo taken with him. There was certainly no shortage of love in the venue. His live shows are notoriously unique and apparently vary from a solo act with his laptop and musical Gameboy, to a dancing, singing and synthesizing lady duo. We were treated to a guitarist... somewhat fitting for the Barfly. Keep your eye on Spod, there's nothing like rocking up to a gig not knowing what surprises are in store.
The next band hailed from New Zealand... hello Cut Off Your Hands. I'd seen them out the front before the gig, swinging off lamp posts while a photographer snapped away. Later, the lead singer proved he's just as much of a monkey on stage as off. He's obviously got a good dose of hyperactivity pumping through his veins. The set was fast paced and energy-packed. The hooks were addictively catchy and I couldn't help but liken them to The Futureheads. I expected them to break into 'Hounds of Love' at any second. There was a bit of At The Drive In influence in there too methinks. These guys made me smile, they made me bop and they wreaked havoc on my video camera skills. They also meddled with the lighting; put it down to pure coincidence or frontman's climbing efforts, whatever... we found ourselves pitched into darkness. Nothing like making the tech crew work for their dosh hey? These guys are playing throughout London in April. Check out their MySpace for dates and venues. Well worth a break from the sofa.
Headliners Dallas Crane coped well with the lack of light. To be honest, the adoring fans around me probably didn't care - who needs amazing visuals when the sound builds a wall of its own. The Crane, as they call them back at home are huge back in Australia (or so the locals tell me) and their music instantly reminded me of the type of stuff my dad likes. This, m'dears is the biggest compliment I could give, Mr Gary Spain has a first class music radar. He'd love the electric rock'n'roll the guys pump out. The guys are confident on stage, comfortable in the whirlwind of guitars, bass and lyrics. Did I mention the drummer? He’s a looker with a lot of talent ladies. These guys certainly look like rock stars, they play like rock stars and although the music rings of bands of old, don't they all?
I'm not going to delve into technical nit picking for any of these groups... I’m no pro - I listen, I watch and if I come out of a set with a quickened heart and a head heavy from beat riding, I know I've seen a good show.
Next year, I'll be there at SxSW - I don't care if I have to mortgage the house I don't have. In the meantime, make an effort to see the gems coming out of Australia and New Zealand. The Barfly is as good-a place as any to start.
For now, wrap your eyeballs around the footage I got on the day... you may not feel the sweaty vibes to their full potential but you will see first hand, what I'm harping on about.
Dallas Crane:
Spod:
Cut Off Your Hands:
Tags
austrade, australian, barfly, camden, collective, concert, cut of your hands, dallas crane, deja voodoo, gig, london, music, new zealand, review, spod, sxsw
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