Playing two consecutive nights at The Old Bar (or anywhere for that matter) is no small undertaking, but with a host of Melbourne’s tried and true as well as a few fresh faces The Peep Tempel prove themselves more than up to the task.
Arriving a couple of songs into Space Junk’s set there is already an enthusiastic crowd pushed up against The Old Bar’s stage. A rocking affair from the outset the group fuses garage rock, grunge and psychedelia with blues laden heavy riffage. There’s definitely some kind-hearted sibling rivalry going on between the Ryan brothers, the spirited trading of guitar virtuosity is joyfully captivating.
Sheriff are a veritable sonic explosion, an engaging group who seem to place more importance on having a good time and showmanship than say tuning their instruments. It’s not long before front man Thomas Watson has left the confines of the stage and is down amongst the sweaty punters. He stalks through the crowd wearing a manic grin before literally climbing the walls and delivering a blistering squall of a guitar solo.
A very polite and mild mannered Blake Scott greets the crowd and extends a gracious thank you to those punters who have made it down to both nights of The Peep Tempel’s two night stint. A bemused fan yells out “stop being so polite!” and with the niceties taken care of the band launch into a brilliant set. Their songs are hard hitting, frenetic and angular and are executed with class and control. The trio has the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands, hanging on their every word. Not a single note is fudged or wasted and Scott has the uncanny ability of sounding like two or even three guitarists – it’s all in those magic fingers. After a set of quality tunes (including an excellent rendition of Total Control by The Motels) the band has proven that there’s just no truth in the old saying that the sequel is better than the original.
BY GUY WYNDHAM
LOVED: How the crappy weather forced the punters inside for the tunes
HATED: That there was no night three.
DRANK: Got my Tecate tournament on.
