Sydney’s Gang Of Youths, made up of guitarist/vocalist David Leaupepe, guitarist Joji Malani, bass player Max Dunn, guitar/keys man Jung Kim and drummer Dom Borzestowski have progressed from playing The Workers Club (January), to Northcote Social Club (May), to a sold out Wednesday evening at the Corner Hotel.
As The Dandy Warhols’ Nietzsche blasted out of the speakers, the curtain drew open and Gang Of Youths took the stage. They opened with Restraint/Release, a song with a keyboard chime reminiscent of Gary Numan’s Cars. Then Leaupepe and co. got the audience dancing with the infectiously upbeat single Poison Drum.
The rest of the set involved more indie bangers, like the incredible Benevolence Riots, interspersed with Leaupepe performing slower numbers from the band’s debut album The Positions. It must be noted that Leaupepe is a force of nature; a veritable man on fire when it comes to the passion and enthusiasm communicated from the stage, whether it be his heartfelt stories between the songs or his rocking out during the songs.
Prior to Vital Signs, the final song of a three song encore, Leaupepe gave a shout out to drummer Dom Borzestowski’s brother who is sadly no longer with us. Before his death, Borzestowski’s brother record music under the name Szymon and Gang Of Youths had this release for sale at the merch desk – check it out online if you can, it’s good music.
BY DAN WATT
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: The guy on the door who agreed to let me in when I wasn’t on the door.
Hated: Not being on the door.
Drank: Water.
