Blue Juice @ The Annandale

Mon 19th Nov, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Although there was only a half full room at the Annandale at the start of the show, it seemed that most of the people who got there in time knew to expect the huge voice and theatrical melodies of the openers; The Elana Stone Band. (If you were wondering whether Elana Stone is the talented sister of Blue Juice singer/crazyman Jake Stone, then you would be absolutely correct.) Their opening song had all the brilliant madness of the film “Batman Returns” yet with a voice like a jazzy, possibly more powerful Missy Higgins. It was when The Elana Stone Band were into their 4th song that I realised I was now surrounded by people and that the Annandale was pretty much full at 9.

The highlight of The Elana Stone Band’s set I’d have to say was a song towards the end called “Bobby Lee”. This song really summed up the sound of the band and had a great pop sensibility to it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this song got picked up by radio really soon.

As the ambient sounds of the Grafton Primary entrance filled the room the crowd moved forward with a knowing anticipation of the party that was getting started. Ambient synthesizer sounds blend into electronica then, with the introduction of drums, turn into electro-rock and once the vocals make their confident way to the forefront of the mix the bands true new wave colours shine on brighter than the dancing of the singer. Reminiscent of a New Order inspired early Presets show, Grafton Primary’s set climaxes with the use of the legendary Roland Keytar.

After about a 15 minute change over, the time has come, the headline act Blue Juice are set to hit the stage and face all around are lighting up in expectance. Not letting anyone down, they get straight to business with a new song that moulded those twitching lips into cheek wide smiles. Second up were the incredible flows of the song – œWe Get It Right’ which was the first song in the set from the new album Problems. At this point it was really only a matter of time before the standing still, drink in hand audience mutated into a full-fledged dance party. Blue Juice on stage, looking relaxed as ever with the energy of a kindergarten class at recess. With their own unique style of half-rapping/half singing in harmonies, doused in funky dance moves, the party on stage was reciprocated by the audience during the third song – œMotorcycle Accident’.

The steady beats laid out by the tireless rhythm section not only allowed for improvisation by the two vocalists but also old magic fingers on the keyboard/organ. This was in fruition in the fast paced version of – œMountain Goat’. I thought at least one of the two singers was going to pass out as the vocals in the recording of this song are already fast but they proved logic wrong by continuing on straight into the crowd pleaser, radio hit – œVitriol’- singing now not only with each other but with the whole audience. Sweating bodies end the song to an eruption of applause. The people in the crowd that came only having heard – œVitriol’ now seeing the song performed in it’s real context are pleased at the way Blue Juice bring so much to their live shows. Whether it’s all the dancing, the jokes between songs, the acrobatics and striptease of the singers, it is certain that Blue Juice are one of those bands that has to be seen to be fully appreciated. Their unique sound being like a mix between Aussie hip-hop act Muph n Plutonic and US art punk-rockers The Blood Brothers.

To close their set, Blue Juice finish with the feel good tune – œHunnamunnafeeb’ before quickly returning for an encore with the encouragement of the stimulated crowd. They play – œMadness’ from their old EP finally closing the show with – œThe Reductionist’ which comes as the last call at the bar as well as on the dance floor.

Progression was definitely the key to the success of the night, starting out with the jazzy tunes of The Elana Stone Band grooving into the new wave dance-ness of Grafton Primary ultimately culminating in the genre transcending, crazy dance inducing songs of Blue Juice.

+ Pic by Dan Boud