The Met is a relatively new venue on the Brisbane scene and it serves a live gig just as well as the weekend dance crowds. There are more people outside then there are inside when I Heart Hiroshima shake the stage by literally kicking off the night with their kick-drum-centric version of raw Brispop. The crowd and dancefloor grows as their set becomes more frenetic and the guitars echo the same notes all the way to the back comfy couches with their elevated view and soothing low lit aquarium.
Regurgitator have introduced eccentric Asian bands to Australia before via their various jaunts around the country and this tour’s guests, China’s New Pants, are a tonic for those looking for something fresh and exciting.
A three piece of guitar, synth/keys and bass, New Pants defy categorisation as they are all at once new rave, sonic ambient, electro-pop, punk and straight rock. There are many genres covered in their show and almost as much instrument swapping, indicating a level of musicianship to be appreciated. Their enthusiasm and energy is pervasive throughout not only their set, but also into the headliners, but we’ll get to that soon. The effervescent assault starts with an early crowd participation invitation via the international sign for “Come on, aerial clap along to this one!” commencing on only the 2nd song! Their third track was totally reminiscent of New Order, the evidence of it being homage to such sounds taking shape at the end of the song where they finished with the opening guitar and keyboard riffs of Joy Division ’s Love Will Tear Us Apart. The bass player looks like Johnny Depp’s Hunter S Thompson and has just as much eccentric attitude oozing from his Flea-esk head banging bass stylings. By the 5th track the bass lines come from a mini Korg rather than the stringed variety and sonic soundscapes a-la Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai echo through the expanse of the Met’s inner sanctum. Fans of this type of ethereal noise may like the Chinese take on shuddering elongated bass lines layered with oriental guitar melodies. It was very different, and very nice. Toward the end of the set, the little gem behind the keyboards who had been quiet as a monk suddenly busted out from behind his rack and punk-rocked the place like a mad man jumping up and down yelling a very shouty “Everybody’s here now!” repetitive chorus then throwing himself off the stage in contravention of all venue behaviour rules to surf the crowd like a pro.
There’s only a brief hiatus between bands as Regurgitator’s back line of gear has been on stage since the start of the evening. Welcomed by a blaze of blue lights, lime laser beams, whistles and applause, all four members walk out with coloured eyes shining from their spikey alien headdresses, launching into current single Blood & Spunk which is quickly followed by My Robot Friend. As always, frontmen Ben Ely and Quan Yeomans actively engage with the audience as though we’re all old friends. “Whoah check out this venue. How good is it? Brisbane is moving into the fuuutuurrre!” Add to that the big grin that he sported in the Couldn’t Do It film clip and Ben has spread his mischievous shenanigans all over the stage and into the crowd. And they love it.
Just about every one of the singles and festival favourites from Gurge’s modern history are given the energetic live treatment this band is famous for: Track 1, I Will Lick Your Asshole, I Sucked a Lot of Cock, Superstraight, Kong Foo Sing, FSO, Black Bugs, I Wanna Be a Nudist … and the list goes on. The addition of Seja Vogel ’s keys and harmonies provides the sounds that we’re used to hearing on the recorded versions but weren’t always privy to in the live environs unless Shane Rudken (of Ponyloaf and other notable BrisVegasian ensembles) was guest starring in the lineup for a time. The finale is a corker with our quiet keyboardist from New Pants supporting our illustrious headliners by skulling three beers in a row on stage and then getting together with the rest of his band to dance like maniacs as Gurge belt out Drinking Beer is Awesome. Which tonight, it certainly is.
All in all, it was a great gig. Regurgitator were as tight, energetic, engaging and pleasurable to all of the senses as they have always been when up close and personal. The only draw back? It was predominantly a safe set of guaranteed punter pleasers. This made it feel like it could have been any night in the last ten or so years. They have a new album out and a new full-time band member. We only heard 2-3 new tracks and neither Seja nor any of her songs, which from reading various album reviews are something to behold, were introduced. Burned by the bubble or not, the Gurge we know and love would never shy away from showcasing their innovative wares, prompting us to get to the record store quick smart the next day. So please don’t go changin’. It’s time to ante up and jump of the risk cliff again by playing less of your old stuff and more of your new stuff, who knows, we might like it better this time around. It’s what we’ve been waiting for.
