Front End Loader @ TheAnnandale Hotel, Sydney(04/04/08)

Mon 7th Apr, 2008 in Gig Reviews

Friday night at the Annandale I would have expected to be much busier. We did arrive a little early (on time for the first support act can be classed as early I guess) but the place was pretty empty, which was slightly worrying. Luckily for Braindead Lovers, the crowd had picked up a little towards the end of their set to make it a little less lonely.

The set up at the Annandale ensures that anyone who walks in to the venue ends up in front of the – œfirst’ stage, where one of the support acts is generally playing. When that act is finished, the second support will start up a short time later on the – œmain’ stage (in with the bar), which keeps the waiting times down. It does, though, make the – œfirst’ stage just end up being a thoroughfare, as everyone walks through to the bar for drinks, and it makes you feel a little sorry for the band to have to watch everyone walk past them.

The Braindead Lovers looked slightly nervous, as if unsure what to do with the limelight, but thankfully by the second time they were on the stage (just before Front End Loader ), they had found their feet.

Grand Fatal then took the – œmain’ stage, under poor lighting (completely back-lit), and lacklustre sound. It was hard to determine any lyrics to the songs, but as I saw some of the now larger crowd singing along occasionally, I’ll assume the lyrics do exist. Despite the lighting and sound downfalls, which I’d put down to the venue rather than the band themselves (which is unusual for the Annandale in my experience), they were full of enthusiasm and certainly warmed up the crowd.

Front End Loader are decidedly – œold-school’. First forming in 1991 and finding most of their popularity in the late nineties, they then had a couple of on-again-off-again moments before their latest release – a live CD with plenty of bonus material and rarities. The blurbs advertising the show seemed to promote the merchandise more than the actual gig. Seeing as they started their set with a man dressed in a bear suit covered in the aforementioned merchandise, I must say I wasn’t expecting much.

The charm of grown men acting like teenagers onstage must be appealing to some, as the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Their main redeeming factor is that they play their music well. Their enthusiasm, catchy songs and ability to work together as a band had the crowd moving along to their music and thoroughly enjoying it.

If you love Front End Loader, you won’t be disappointed by their live show. This is definitely something for the fans: but if you like a bit of Aussie rock, you should still enjoy yourself.