Okay, okay to start this review I am going to give you all a tip for next time you go to a sold-out show at The Corner: Walk to the far side near the toilets and set up camp just to the right of stage. It’s brilliant; you have the least busy bar and ‘facilities’ just a few short steps away.
On Saturday night The Corner was sold-out for what was arguably the best lineup on offer that evening with freakfest-electro-pop act Fascinator, certified force of nature Kirin J Callinan and one of Melbourne’s music intuitions, the now regal Midnight Juggernauts.
Fascinator’s set had a long intro of a hypnotherapy track for children that consisted of two squirrels being very sensible. What followed this was far from sensible. Lord Fascinator strode to the mic with his synth guitar that looked as though it had been stolen from the set of Total Recall and proceeded to brutally bash a loud drum pad overlaid with swirls from his rapturous hybrid axe. After this brash beginning Lord Fascinator was joined by a percussionist, four people dressed in Chinese monk clothing – ‘Cloud Priests’ we were told – a contortionist and a masquerade ball looking chick. Fascinator is the project of Children Collide front man Johnny McKay and the Cloud Priests included Jonny Goldcoast of Amazing Phillips Sisters and electro pop princess Chela. Even though McKay’s voice is heavily affected, it still has that familiar drawl. Aurally the performance was punishing as massive synth samples and crushing drum tracks created an enormous wall of sound.
Kirin J Callinan was an intimidating sight as he strode onto stage in slick black undergarments wrapped in what looked like one of those foil things that you use to keep your dashboard cool, and his guitar, slung like highwayman’s rifle. His band, a drummer and a synth-player mimicked his Draconian style, additionally in a weird faux-futurism vibe they had ear pinned mouth pieces – to communicate with an unseen vessel or to get instructions from their leader. Victoria was a predictable highlight to the set, but it was so loud that in the packed room punters still stood a couple of feet back from the stage. Was it pleasurable? Not really, but Callinan’s stage presence is something to behold as he powerfully stalks the stage whipping his guitar from side to side and even though he wears heavy make-up that makes for an effeminate aesthetic, don’t think for a second he is not an alpha male.
The atmosphere prior to Midnight Juggernauts coming on stage was New Year’s Eve-like. It was an older and slightly more sophisticated crowd than you would normally see out on a Saturday night at a gig. I feel this is because of Midnight Juggernauts’ nearly ten year tenure as one of Australia’s leading electronic music producers, which has seen many of those indie kids who used to see them at Shake Some Action in the ’00s grow up to become fuckheaded advertising executives.
An ethereal beginning was adjusted by the kimono clad threesome launching into Shadows from their debut album of 2007, Dystopia. The bounce initiated by this song’s incredible bassline was a site to see! Kirin J Callinan’s safety blanket/dashboard protector had become a bizarre burkha on particularly animated crowd member. As this song began to dwindle, Vincent Vendetta, Andrew Szekeres and Daniel Stricker seamlessly steered the sound into Monument, the second single from the new LP Uncanny Valley. This song’s mesmerising beat drew a big push forward from the crowd. And the crowd just kept swelling as a ‘tweak’, ‘tweak’, ‘strum’, ‘strum’, gave way to the massive intro of Road To Recovery. At about halfway through the night there was a break as the band member’s changed into the Soviet Army uniforms worn in the amazing film clip for Ballad Of The War Machine. Before the end of the set, Andy sang a new song which made for a change of pace and mode, plus Vital Signs was adored! Then came the encore which ended with 45 And Rising, that while being a single from early on in their career, just fizzled a bit for me. That is a minor gripe on what was an enlivening night of music from the edge.
BY DENVER MAXX
Loved: Fascinator, Kirin J and Midnight Juggernauts.
Hated: Tossers with grey streaks and thick rimmed glasses.
Drank: Mother (fuck knows why?)
