The Spazzys, The Daybridges @The Q.U.T Student Guild Bar,Brisbane 22/10/04

Sat 23rd Oct, 2004 in Gig Reviews

“For $5 I’d see anyone!” says drunken boy No. 1. Well lucky for us “anyone” wasn’t just playing tonight. Two of Australia’s finest new bands were on the bill, The Spazzys and The Daybridges. It’s hard to think of either of them as a support act, but I did think the Spazzys would follow the Daybridges and yet I was wrong.

Going by The Daybridges last headlining performance at the Zoo, when they arrived on stage they were already half way up the drunk-o-meter, I thought this would be a good opportunity for a nice sober performance. But this thought passes as Pete, lead vocalist from The Daybridges, walks past me with a jug of beer in hand, and a sudden fear rises.

The Guild Bar was split in two for the Daybridges, with some people up the front dancing to and enjoying the music, while the other mob were staring at them like they’d never seen a live band before. Lead singer, Pete’s voice screams true as he tries to get the party started, and with every note you can see that he was born to sing the blues. Describing the band as R’n’B, they really do stay true to the blues genre. Silas, the Daybridges slightly eccentric organ player, also keeping the music true to blues origins and performing his heart out. While the guitarists Brian and Pete deliver gritty blues notes, Mick the bass player serves up a nice solo, while his twin brother Aaron, the time keeper on drums. Every member has a solid place in the band and you can see a real respect and appreciation for one another. Towards the end Pete starts drinking beer straight out of the jug.

The people who were here to see live music were obviously here to see catchy punk/pop songwriters, The Spazzys. Starting out by bumming cigarettes (unsuccessfully) off front row fans, then shortly after launching into a more punk than pop tunes. If you aren’t a fan of the Spazzys, at times you may be unable to tell one song from another. But in saying that, they must have been doing something right because they maintained a consistent excitable mosh pit throughout their tight-knit hour-long set. Twins Kat and Lucy held everything together at the sides by keeping a light, fun atmosphere and attitude on on guitar and bass. While Ally, or sometimes known as the mediator, whips Kat and Lucy into line everytime they got off track (at one time fighting over who gets to be closer to the fan). And keeping the rhythm together no matter how disgustingly hot it got on stage!

With kick drum microphone problems arising, irritability settled in. But “Hey Ally! Don’t worry! It’s time for the sunshine drive” which was a hit down the front and made it impossible for anything to bring this audience down. And I bet more then a few of us left singing that song all through the night, and the whole next day.

Finishing with a short and sweet three song encore, the Spazzys definitely conquered the Brisbane-ites present tonight.