Kisschasy, British India, InFiction @ The Tivoli,Brisbane, 21/09/07

Wed 26th Sep, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Opinions won’t keep you warm at night but Kisschasy’s latest tour sure will. Hitting the sold out show at Brisbane’s The Tivoli with a mighty bang on the 21st of September, supported by fellow Melbourne lads British India and Adelaide boys In Fiction, the three bands put on a show that will leave a lasting impression on all.

Adelaide five piece melodic rock band In Fiction produced a killer show for the packed audience with their energetic set complete with rock star leaps and throbbing guitar riffs. Lead singer Brad Gilbertson produced sterling vocals and compliments the bands sound well. They have a following from those who have attended the Boomtown Showdown Festivals a concert that showcases the record label Boomtown’s signed talent. Although not widely known in Brisbane, the band won over many new fans and was worthy enough for many punters to purchase their latest EP Ghost, a selection of indie rock tracks. Rocking the stage with a tight set they also played songs off their first EP Four Letter Failure. Songs included If you’re up late , When the cameras off , Ghost and Awake without You .

British India, those four cheeky lads from Melbourne, put on a show of epic proportions which left the audience pumped and ready for more. The most physical set I have seen in years, the boys leapt from the stage producing some stunning forms of athleticism (and their playing wasn’t half bad either). Celebrating the release of their debut album Guillotine which has been nominated for the 2007 J-Award, the boys showcased songs such as Automatic Pulse , Council Flat , Black and White Radio and their most popular release Tie up my Hands . Bassist Will Drummond came out in true rockstar style as he played and swung his bass guitar around the stage also feeding off energy from guitarist Nic Wilson. Declan Melia on lead vocals never faltered despite his constant jumping around. Dougy ( Matt O’Gorman ) on drums could not have hit the skins harder as he created brilliant fills that forced the audience into dance mode. They closed their set with such intensity the audience dared not to move as they were completely warmed up for Kisschasy.

The Melbourne quartet turned on an electric set consisting of new tunes from their latest record Hymns for the Non Believer . There was an unusual opening by lead singer Darren Cordeux going solo with Black Dress the last track from their debut album United Paper People . Cordeux’s exit to a rambunctious applause welcomed the transition into a taped opening; a flurry of political speeches and suspenseful music as a banner for Hymns For The Non Believer came down and the entire band set to the stage to hit the first song off their new record, The Perfect Way To Meet. Guitarist Sean Thomas busts out a guitar solo that even Carlos Santana would be threatened by, and puts on a show for the photographers. At one point he stepped out into the crowd still playing guitar as many punters were lucky to get up close and personal with the guitarist. Drummer Karl Ammitzboll , lived up to his nickname – œAnimal’ (of Muppet Show fame) and wasn’t letting the female (and possibly some male) fans down as he took to the kit shirtless, producing some stunning fills that tempt you to get out the air drums and join in. Joel Vanderuit lays the foundations down on bass guitar and keeps the band alive with his energetic performance, complete with a climb on top of the Marshall stacks and interacting with the audience at every opportunity. At one point Darren was taking a sip of his beer as the crowd erupted into a chorus of – œScull, Scull, Scull!’ to which he conformed to with a little help from Sean.

Some surprise additions into the set list included Reminder, a track off their second EP Cara Sposa but the fans didn’t miss a beat accompanying the band on vocals. The set list so well organised and strong enough to carry the emotional weight of lead singer Darren Cordeux, Hymns For The Non Believer has offerings of reflection as a musician in Strings and Drums and Spray on Pants to the black hole of religious creed in Tiny Plastic Cup and My Bible is a Scrapbook . The record has only one song about relationships in Real and Untouched a grave departure from their debut album United Paper People with every listing dedicated to love songs. Also Cordeux is an advocate for animal rights and liberation as discussed in Factory and Dissolution .

The band finished the set with their latest single Opinions Wont Keep You Warm at Night to which the crowd sang along to every word. Cordeux was moved by this and stood back to admire the sea of people. The band exited the stage but only briefly as Darren came back on for an encore amidst the deafening screams of – œKiss-chas-sy’. He performed a tearful acoustic version of one of the most popular tracks off United Paper People, The Shake . Joined back on stage with the rest of the band they performed Dissolution and their most popular single to date Do-Do’s and Whoa-oh’s . Indeed the night’s performance was of such high standard that it will never be forgotten among new and old fans alike.