Horsell Common @ TheGreenroom, Canberra (20/03/08)

Tue 25th Mar, 2008 in Gig Reviews

The Greenroom hosted an evening alternative grunge, a lot of rock and quite a bit of punk, with Horsell Common, Trial Kennedy, Mere Theory and Lamexcuse all putting on a fun show to an audience that grew steadily throughout the night.

It was Melbourne band Horsell Common that the crowd was there to see on Thursday night at the Greenroom in Phillip, Canberra. Coming onstage to the chants of the enthusiastic crowd, the band showed charisma and ease, playing to a familiar audience that sang, danced, moshed, cheered and showered themselves with beer. Guitarist Mark Stewart controlled the crowd throughout the night. He chatted with enough familiarity to engage, but never lost sight of the crowd’s desire to hear more songs that they could rock out to. Help Is On Its Way charged everyone packed onto the dancefloor for some jumping around, and as much pseudo-crowd surfing as they could get away with without being ejected from the premises. In honour of their long-time association with the Greenroom, Horsell Common cranked out Everlasting to an audience they made feel thoroughly appreciated. When the band left the stage, the crowd chanted for an encore – which they got. First a solo acoustic performance from Mark Stewart, before the incredibly energetic bass player Luke Cripps and drummer Leigh Pengelly returned to end the night’s music with Automation.

Trial Kennedy’s extended sound check slowed things down a bit, with more enthusiastic members of the audience getting impatient. But once under way the band had the crowd’s full attention – if not the dancefloor grunge frolicking that marked the Horsell Common finale. Tim Morrison was committed to singing his heart out, and had sucked on a good dose of Michael Hutchence for the show. It was great to see the band solidly proud of their influences, cranking out an INXS cover to finish the night. Bass guitarist Aaron Malcolmson showed unparalleled enthusiasm, with dance moves that had some in the crowd enthralled. He played his bass in true punk style, dragging it along the ground until the strap broke. Elsewhere, the band ripped through the highlights of Neighbours and Great Escape.

Mere Theory played straight-out rock with Matt Adey on bass, Nigel Black on guitar, Chris Mellow vocals and Richie Wise on drums. They gave it their all to a less-than-committed crowd, though the numbers on the dancefloor did gradually grow as more people were drawn by the band’s enthusiasm.

Canberra veterans Lamexcuse played to one dude dancing, but he got a great show. This fast paced pop-punk band eschewed crowd discussion, gaps between songs or more than the bare minimum of stage movement, so that they could crank through as much music as they could cram into the time allotted to them. As the vocalist and bass player Donny said, “Can’t talk, f#%k all time.” This ethos characterised their set. The band got heavier and faster, despite playing to an audience that was obviously there for Horsell Common. But these vets – playing Canberra since the late – œ90s – should have won some new fans. Check them out should they come to a pub near you.