You’d better believe it, The Annie Crooners are a triumphant force to be reckoned with. The six-piece experimental rock band could barely fit on the small front stage at The Brunswick Hotel but that didn’t stop them from deafening the crowd with their impressive and often complex song configurations.
The crowd (and the band) were just the right amount of drunk by the time they hit the stage. Lead vocalist Seb Withycombe took a song or two to hit full stride, but soon demonstrated an impressive vocal range that met the band’s heavy genre-bending style. Drummer Hamish Chirnside was the standout on the night; he was impressive to watch on percussion.
They were supported by three talented guitarists in Steve Wilcox and the Chirnside cousins, Andrew and David, as well as an animated bassist in Mark Green. With their first studio album only just in the works, the set was expectedly short but that didn’t stop the crowd from head-banging until near concussion. Highlights included the bassy riff of Motarmelon, Primitive Frontier and the closing track Beer Fear.
This was the debut gig for the local Melbourne band but they could be heard for miles – expect plenty more to come.
BY CHRIS BRIGHT
Loved: Hamish Chirnside on drums.
Hated: The set ending too soon.
Drank: Coopers pints.
