Like all trite sociological analyses, such commentary isn’t worth the dregs left in a discarded pot of Carlton Draught. Tonight’s ‘reunion’ gig featuring Sydney bands the Ups and Downs and The Moffs and Melbourne’s Huxton Creepers was one of commonalities and synergies – and a shirtload of good times.
Wolfy and the Bat Cubs, the proverbial new kid on the block on tonight’s bill had just concluded upon our entry into the Corner Hotel. Positive reports of the latest in the wolf range of bands continue to flood in – the observation tonight was ‘they don’t just sound good, they look good as well’. In a world obsessed with style, image and aesthetics is important.
It wasn’t clear when, or even if, The Ups and Downs had last played in Melbourne. The band’s jangly-pop melodies were, however, as fresh as a field of spring flowers. A cover of Neil Diamond’s Solitary Man was thrown in for good measure – no band ever went wrong paying homage to Neil – and the atmosphere was one of peace, happiness and paisley-inspired understanding.
The Moffs are a ridiculously unappreciated band. Back in the day their signature song Another Day in the Sun changed many lives, including my own. The band’s power pop sensibility plays out against a moddish-psychedelic backdrop; squint long and hard enough, and you can hear the indigenous pop melodies of very early REM washed through with a kaleidoscopic mix so rich it should come with a health warning. The elegance of Home rubbed up against the primitive garage expressionism of Tombstone and everyone was happy.
And so it was that the stage was set for the Huxton Creepers. If heaven has a party band, it’s the Huxton Creepers. Every song is delivered with a passion and empathy that only the chosen few bands understand; Rob Craw has the excited demeanour of a kid hanging cool in his favourite candy store, while Paul Thomas reels off garage pop licks with brilliant aplomb. The Creepers’ classic tunes are thick on the ground – I Will Persuade You offers us the chance to sing (or maybe moan) in disharmonious concert – but it’s in the band’s choice of covers that the gig reaches its apex. Neil Diamond gets his second run for the evening in Cherry, Cherry, Blondie gets a guernsey with Union City Blues while The Doors appear with a stumbling segue into LA Woman and, later on, a brief foray into The End. There is a moment when we’re convinced we have indeed moved into the afterlife, and the Creepers are the house band – but then the gig ends, and the house lights curtail the evening’s festivities. Tonight was a homage to the power of pop music in its purest and most alluring guise.
LOVED: The Moffs playing Another Day in the Sun, followed closely by the Creepers’ segue into LA Woman
HATED: The bar prices
DRANK: A hole in my pocket
