The Mess Hall’s sophomore album Devil’s Elbow hit stores this month, and rather than just another bunch of songs designed to be played live, it featured much more in-depth and layered songs. Fans could be forgiven for wondering how they would back this up in the live arena, but tonight Mess Hall answered all questions the only way they can – by rocking the fuck out.
Local lads The Granite Lakes open proceedings with a low intensity, three-song set. Each song goes for seven to eight minutes, but although they feel like slow-burners, the big payoff never seems to arrive. Bass is provided by keys, and percussion limited to just a tamborine, and the songs suffer for it, as they lack momentum. But the guitar work is excellent, and there’s plenty of talent in this band – the near empty room has as much to do with the lack of atmosphere as anything the band does.
By contrast, the room is full and the atmosphere electric when Little Vegas & The Fuzz Parade take the stage, and the band take full advantage. They manage to cram nearly a dozen of their short-and-sharp, three minute, power-pop rock songs into the 30 minute set, with frontwoman Sabrina singing, laughing and wailing her way through her charismatic performance. Guitarists Will and Byron provide the crunchy chords, while Pete on bass and Tom on drums keep the momentum going. The faster these guys go, such as on the breakneck I Burn Books, the better they are, and the crowd respond with raucous cheering. Little Vegas & The Fuzz Parade are one of the musical finds of the year, and definitely one of the bands to watch in 2008 – if you get a chance to see ‘em, don’t miss it for love or money.
Sandwiched between the powerpop Little Vegas and the power-dirt-rock The Mess Hall, the mod rock of West Australia’s The Silents is always going to be a hard sell. The tight pants and nasal vocals of frontman Lloyd Stowe don’t win over the crowd, as there’s only a smattering of applause after each song. But as the set wears on, with highlights being radio singles Nightcrawl and 23, the band loosens up, and the crowd follows suit. By the end of the set, the crowd is won over, but it’s been a hard fought battle – the band’s over-earnestness is still a little tough to bear, but when the songs are good, who cares?
Cec Condon and Jedd Kurtzel of The Mess Hall have developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the best balls-out rock shows in Australia, but their new album is a very different piece of work, much more structured and developed. Even the stage setup reflects the new sound – alongside the drums and guitar is a keys setup, an extra snare, and samplers. These belong to the new touring member of the band, Gerling’s Burke Reid (who also recorded the album). And if you were afraid the addition of a third member might throw out the balance of the band, fear not – his guitar-thrashing, snare-banging, head-rocking performance actually adds to the overall performance.
Opening with Lorelai and Pulse from the new album, the band deliver a smashing performance which has the entire crowd rocking along. Old songs Metal and Hair and Disco 2 sit perfectly alongside newies City of Roses and Buddy (which sees Reid smashing into his snare with ruthless joy). Condon is still the most vibrant drummer going around, while Kurtzel, with some of the rhythmical weight lifted from his shoulders, seems to be enjoying himself much more than he used to. Lock and Load remains a classic, while new single Keep Walking sees the crowd rocking out harder than ever. After a short break, the band return to encore with Disco 1, before retiring once more, although nobody wants the night to be over. If anyone was wondering if the Mess Hall are still the best rock band in Australia, the answer is clear – they’re better than ever.
