Kisschasy @ The Enmore Theatre(24/05/08)

Wed 28th May, 2008 in Gig Reviews

From an eighty year old man in the dapper tweed suit and vest to the gaggle of twelve year olds in short shorts and fluoro singlets, this gig truly was one of all ages. However, it was the teens who were truly out in force tonight. Shock, horror, at a mere 20-years-old, I felt old for the first time upon realizing that the first support slot for the night, the garage-punk The Getaway Plan, were probably around the same age as me. I had thus lost the ability to worship them mindlessly for their impressively placed and draped fringes, instead preferring to focus on the, well, you know, the music?!

Sorry to most of the tweens out there who enjoyed this set (crowd support was strong) but this reviewer would have preferred if they’d swept their hair off their faces for long enough to realise that they were not Kings of Leon (genius doesn’t come from a fringe); and put together something a little fuller sounding.

Strong, simple riffs were supported by energetic and tightly focused drumming, however the sound was sparse and mostly bereft of the energy that their lead singer tried so hard to imbue it with. Maybe it was just this – trying too hard – that left an unsatisfied taste in the mouth.
At least their singer could pitch. The Donnas frontwoman has the energy and the raw belief in their music’s message that The Getaway Plan lacked, but all the prancing about stage in some very tight jeans made hitting the right note a problem at times.

Then again, the raw sexuality of the guitarist and the drummer was convincing in the way that only leather clad blonde women with instruments can be. Tight work from the bassist interacted with a drummer who looked like she was on a Fear and Loathing cocktail of drugs combined with simple yet elegant guitar work and a magnetic frontwoman to create a fun experience. Shame most of the audience had no idea of the legends they were watching. Their newest release, Bitchin’, was showcased in its full force, with the rock-a-ditty Smoke You Out gathering some bopping support down front, as well as the raunchy Don’t Wait Up For Me getting some of the younger girl rebelling out with older rockers.

However it wasn’t until the well-known Take It Off rocked out at the end that most of the crowd did the whole, “ohhhh, that’s where I know this band from.” Overall, a strong if pitchy set that suffered from lack of crowd support.

So after two support sets that had left me a little more than wanting, I was rudely surprised (in the best of ways) when Kisschasy exploded onstage with determination and grit. All-age shows are challenging at the best of times and such professionalism was impressive. A lighting show to rival Daft Punk combined with an eloquent and energetic set made the night well worth the wait.

Promoting their new B-sides album, To B or Not to B proved to be no problem in regards of new material, as most fans in the audience seemed to be well-acquainted with most songs. For those of us who were acquainted only with the songs that would fit on a – œgreatest hits’ compilation, newer material such as the angry and melodic Ugly Birds In a Beautiful Cage were rewarding on both a listening and an intellectual level.

Indeed, one of Kisschasy’s fortes is the combination of a sweetly tenor lead treble with the raw masculine power of their drummer Karl Ammitzboll, as well as thought-provoking lyrics to create memorable tunes. Whether on – œdeep’ thinking songs or – œdanceable’ ditties such as the crowd-loved Strings and Drums (a celebration of the power of music to overcome), Kisschasy consistently built their set to a climax which culminated in an acoustic set from lead singer Darren Cordeax. Dimmer lights helped to show off his powerful voice and enchanting stage presence through softer, more romantic songs such as the lyrical and rhapsodic Shake Before I Sleep.

Let’s just say more than a few girls were willing to fit the – œgroupie’ tag after this one. Even the boys in the audience settled down as they remember the memories of loss and love that this song softened in them. The band reunited on stage to continue with the set – albeit a little long. One or two of the later songs may have dragged the show if it was not for the serious punch that their testosterone packed into the show. The anger and disillusionment that has led to them being labeled – œAustralia’s greatest – œemo’ band’ was highlighted well by later songs such as Spray On Pants and Opinions Won’t Keep You Warm At Night , which were played with a punk fury and appreciated with an intensity that this reviewer has not seen for a long time.

Overall, singer Darren stole the show as usual with his boyish charm and ineffable pixie charm. However, guitarist Sean Thomas offered some solid and smooth solos which complemented bassist Joel Vanderuit’s held-back intensity. Kudos must go however, for intensity and all other things good, to drummer Karl, who looked set to murder his kit. Having set him play more than just here, I’d like to recognise him not only as an inordinate show-off, as all drummers are (put that shirt back on, man!) but also as a fantastic musician who pours his heart, soul and probably a few of his muscles (injuries, anyone?!) into his craft. It was good to see a band so dedicated to doing what they love, at the biggest crowd they had played yet, for an audience that lapped it up so keenly.

A festival of fun was had by many, including the 50-year-old mother I met up back waiting for her daughter…who was set on “bonking the hell out of that little boy on stage”. All-ages gigs truly are a unique experience.