The Fault, Wales, Ichi theKiller, RATS @ Hyde ParkHotel, Perth (4/11/2007)

Wed 7th Nov, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Daylight savings is something of a double-edged sword when it comes to getting heads through the door and feet on the dancefloor. On the one hand there’s plenty more time to head out in the evenings but on the other, there’s that awkward feeling you get when you’re watching a band and the sun’s blazing in through the windows.

Well done, RATS, ‘cause you kicked a few goals against the breeze. Still in their initial stages, RATS appears to be The Wednesday Society frontman Brendan Jay ’s outlet now half his band is busy planning world domination as part of Sugar Army. With a heavy emphasis on the unorthodox approach to songwriting and structure we’ve seen in the Wed Soc, RATS incorporate synth-based grooves, staccato guitar hooks and plenty of cowbell plus the occasional trumpet flourish from Jay. There’s an awkwardness when the band finishes their half-hour on stage, to which vocalist Petro Vouris responds: “we don’t have more”. It’ll be interesting to see the results when they do.

Ichi the Killer follow and, though they have a slightly more expansive repertoire, their performance seems to lack after the display from RATS. 50% man, 50% hairspray, vocalist Liam Kennedy commands the attention in the early stages, blaring his lines at the floor, walls and ceiling through a megaphone during the second song. But as the set rolls on, it’s guitarist Kam Spychalski who comes into play, swapping guitars to scrape some reverby post-punk goodness from his stylish Gibson cutaway.

Wales are fast making a name for themselves around the local scene and it’s not hard to see why. Fresh-faced and full of energy, the band’s upbeat indie-pop with a hint of new wave is just what the doctor ordered as the sun finally disappeared over the horizon. Wales don’t bother covering The Cure’s Killing an Arab anymore but that’s okay: while they certainly catch your eye the first time, their pop sensibilities mean tracks like Yuri and RATS (“in capitals . . . I hear the band was named after a song”) are warm and familiar the second and third time you hear them. And although the punishing Hydey mix (or the lack thereof) means you can barely hear a note from guitarist Mitchell Reddell it doesn’t really matter, as the band’s Cure-like rhythms and the infectious presence of vocalist Angela Flood is enough to raise more than a smile.

Closing the night are The Fault, who have loosened up since vocalist James Rogers took over as bassist and guitarist Nick Barnett joined the fold. But despite all four appearing more at home with their most recent incarnation, people seem more interested in the members’ other projects, Harlequin League and Mile End. But anyway. The Devil Thumbs a Ride is still a cracking tune with a killer riff and Rogers plays to the crowd as though he’s playing to 500 punters at Amplifier. They close the night with an up-tempo cover of The Cure’s A Forest, which draws nods of approval from members of the other three bands on the bill. “We’re so rusty,” they offer, explaining that they haven’t jammed in four months but you couldn’t tell. They’re as good as they’ve ever been and if this is them rusty, think how they’d be on a good night.