The Kill Devil Hills,Schvendes, Mink Mussel Creek @Rosemount Hotel, Perth(24/8/2007)

Tue 28th Aug, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Opening for the impressive local double of Schvendes and The Kill Devil Hills, local rockers Moonlight Wranglers were first up at the Rosemount on Friday, proving their worth with the unique vocal stylings of charismatic lead singer Dom Blackburn. Blackburn’s voice dappled with strong vibrato complemented perfectly with the band’s alternative rock songs which also showed off seamless time changes making it all that more enjoyable.

Next up were Mink Mussel Creek to show the crowd their unique blend of ambient folk rock, a bit of alternative and a hint of jazz which had the masses nodding and toe-tapping in approval of this eclectic mix of genres. Don’t let these baby-faced boys fool you. MMC’s songs were lyrically limited which made them sound more like jam sessions which in no way should be taken as a negative trait towards them, but more of a compliment commending them on being such incredible instrumentalists, particularly Kevin Sorbo on drums and Joe Ryan on guitar and bouzouki. If Pink Floyd and Wolfmother had a baby, its name would be Mink Mussel Creek.

As the night continued to roll out the talent, next on stage were Schvendes which really needn’t have much more said about them. If you have ever had the pleasure of seeing them live, you would agree that as soon as lead singer and bassist Rachael Dease opens her mouth, the word epic seems to appropriately describe the nature of her voice. Their powerful sounds of experimental rock teamed with cello by Tristen Parr and harmonies by Dease and Tara John (keys, vocals) commanded attention and needless to say, pulled the biggest crowd of the night. Highlights of the set were hits such as Repent and Repeat and Twice the Man.

Finally, The Kill Devil Hills were up and you just knew you were in for some country based music as they came out clad in plaid, cowboy hats and other things of the sort. As they got straight into the set it came as some surprise that the drummer Stephen Gibson was also the lead singer, and a good one at that. Their hits were reminiscent of the sort of songs you’d hear on those old country-western movies but with a spin of contemporary rock. The addition of violin played by Alex Archer added a subtle bluesy feel to their songs, one in particular Did I Damage You? from their latest album The Drought proved popular with the audience while tracks from debut LP Heathen Songs stood up nicely alongside the newer material.