CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE.
The Annandale Hotel is the perfect venue for all things rock ‘n’ roll. With its blacked out windows and dark, debaucherous vibe, it is easy to see why End of Fashion decided to make it the setting for their return to the live music scene. First to take to the stage was The Ripping Dylans, who could easily be summed up by the words loud and energetic. The rock-blues-psych trio pounded out a wall of noise to a small, stunned crowd. And then the set ended, just as abruptly as it had started, without any applause. I’m still not sure whether the punters didn’t enjoy the show or were just in shock as to what exactly they had just witnessed.
Next up was Dash and Will, aka Charlotte and Josie, who are likely to draw comparisons – whether justified or not – to another cute young female duo currently dominating the music scene. With their beautiful harmonies and indie pop style, the girls played their soon to be released single Pick You Up, a catchy sing-along track which is sure to be one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. Dash and Will closed their set with a cover of the Easybeats song Something Wrong and thankfully, when it ended, there was plenty of applause.
Just on a quick side note: Made in Japan, the house band for the night, were amazing. Playing two sets of indie pop rock between each of the support acts, these guys were a perfect example of the undiscovered talent that is hidden in music venues around Sydney. Hunt them down and check them out.
By the time End of Fashion took to the stage the place was packed and dripping with anticipation. Having not performed in Sydney since 2006, the guys decided to put on a string of shows at the Annandale Hotel to preview songs from their forthcoming album, Book of Lies, which is due for release in September. From the energy and enthusiasm the guys showed on stage it’s clear that they have been gagging to get back up there and strut their stuff. Accordingly, the punters lapped it up. They had the audience, including the many females in front of the stage, captivated for the 70-minute set, which included new material punctuated by songs from their first album including She’s Love, Oh Yeah and Rough Diamonds.
After a quick “band meeting” the guys decided to end with an encore. It started with a cover of Nirvana’s Aneurysm, who they have previously cited as one of their major musical influences. Closing the night with the hit single The Game, frontman Justin Burford was overcome with the urge to cause some good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll destruction by thrusting his guitar into the drum kit.
So what was the final verdict on the new tracks? Well, let’s just say that I have a feeling that End of Fashion have a good chance of breaking the sophomore album curse that so many before them have fallen victim to. Nice work guys.
