I first heard Summer Flake’s latest album Hello Friends when Henry Rollins played it in full on LA radio station KCRW. Hearing the new material of Adelaide-via-Melbourne musician Steph Crase streaming from the other side of the world was a little unorthodox. But it felt right – after all, crafty songwriting, melt in your mouth vocal melodies and hazy guitar riffs tend to travel well.
Post-punk purveyors Symbolic Order opened proceedings with their debut set. The three-piece only played one song – a continuous onslaught of minimalism, ferocious in its repetition. With the penetrating darkness of a Joy Division song and a no-fucks-given attitude, it was an intense opening from a band in its very early infancy.
Next up were The Shifters. Halfway through their set a friend said to me, “Every song sounds just like The Fall”. He was pretty spot on, but they made it work. Their final song was an anthemic pop gem and, perhaps, a sign of bigger and better things to come.
By the time Summer Flake – Crase, Antony Bourmas and Joel Cary – made their way to the stage, the bandroom was full of willing bodies. They opened with Make Your Way Back To Me, a track that showcased the beautiful subtleties of Crase’s voice. Reverb soaked and sway inducing, it was the perfect palette cleanser for the rousing set that followed. Hello Friends’ first track Son of a Gun came next, a sense of expectation building before Crase erupted into an explosive lead guitar part.
It was satisfying to see the band deliver the goods on Number One, the first track taken from their Time Rolls By EP, released late last year. The EP was an early indication of the memorable vocal melodies and fluid guitar passages that punctuate the ten new songs. “That’s from our EP. I’ve got four left on cassette,” said Crase, her grin widening with each word.
“I can’t see anything, but I can tell you’re the most beautiful crowd… tonight,” she later joked. Like her songs, Crase exuded an endearing easiness as she effortlessly snaked up and down the neck of her guitar, engaging the intently focused crowd.
Summer Flake created tension through interesting dynamics, playing tight and crisp and staying true to the binding nature of a strong melody. They presented a set that organically ebbed and flowed, offering a musical clarity that ensured there was never a dull moment.
It was no surprise to see Summer Flake end with the single Shoot and Score. The song’s eeriness and feeling of uncertainty were made for the live setting. The band rode out the set with gusto and conviction, and received a boisterous response.
To the sound of eager clapping, woos and whistles, Crase returned to the stage and performed a spine-tingling solo rendition of Tumbling Down. The room suddenly felt intimate and still. Summer Flake reminded us why great songs will always thrive on the live stage.
BY CHRIS SCOTT
LOVED: The big turnout.
HATED: That the set had to end.
DRANK: A mix of Coopers Green pints and stubbies.
