Steady Hell tore through a five track set in a hot Gasometer band room to kick off the night. It was over before I’d even finished a drink; the laconic lyrical styling matched the jangly guitars but the only real gusto displayed was during their last track where the vocals had a real growl and the band played with more intent. White Hex followed with their dark post punk or “tropical goth” (their words not mine). Droning guitar with delay and brooding slurred vocals from Tara Green resulting in a bleak but immersive sound. The track Holiday was a stand out, albeit it one with a title that belied its dark tone.
The one-man show of Andrew Cowie (aka Angel Eyes) broke the run of bands, stepping on stage with his dark electro. There were some promising beats and interesting soundscapes but the groaning vocal additions seemed a little unnecessary and distracting at times, but maybe slow-blues-drone just isn’t my cup of tea.
Brisbane four-piece (three of whom are siblings – two brothers and a sister) Blank Realm had a lot of energy to spare when they finally came on. It was hard not to appreciate their far-from-polished live style, even though it was a little loose to begin with. I could not tell if that was just how they play or whether ongoing issues with the fold back speakers were to blame though. Either way the music of Blank Realm is the sum of all its parts; guitars, vocals and drums seem to drown in one another, and keyboard rises above the rest every now and then, like the flailing hand of a distressed swimmer. When the voice of Sarah Spencer combines with that of her brothers to sing the chorus from Go Easy it really is goddamn catchy. That song has the dark swagger of Radiohead’s There There with the kind of delivery you might expect from Pixies. Though they’re becoming progressively less noise rock there’s still plenty of fuzzy, jamming outros to get lost in, and as certain members shifted from drums to vocals to keys, something new and interesting transpired each time. Another Bedroom Suck Records (home to Bitch Prefect and Boomgates) band to watch.
BY GARRY WESTMORE
LOVED: The keys and vocals of Blank Realm.
HATED: My friend hated that a member of one of the bands wore tracky dacks. That actually ruled, though.
DRANK: Beer, beer, rum and ginger, beer (in that order).
