Support act The Holy Soul epitmoise a pulsating ebb of garage swamp bands submerged in Sydney. I, of course, want them to earn some recognition, all the while knowing that raw and untapped energy will disappear. And so the Holy Soul continue, with accordion in check, to woo those in the know – those with a penchant to for the slightly muddy, dark places we occasionally like to escape to.

The Vandas recall many Australian pub bands that they are likened to support: You Am I, Dallas Crane, The Pictures. After a two year hiatus, surprisingly they said very little to the Hoey crowd. It’s a little sad, this being their album launch. I did not leave wanting to invest any hard earned pennies. It felt like they powered through their set – all business. Fair enough, I don’t doubt they will have gathered a larger crowd in Melbourne, where they are more widely received. Maybe they had a shit drive up from town, who knows?

I’m afraid to say it felt a little too detached. There seemed to be something missing – perhaps grit? Surely all the hooks and pop melodies would have encouraged a little sweat? Vocalist Chris Altmann even thanked “Matt” (aka Adrian) Deutsch for support. If you’re going to thank your support, please, please get the name right, otherwise you just look like a dick.

On a positive note, The Vandas are as tight as a fist and play a mean set. They have an accomplished maturity that confirms they are indeed a live band. The guys showcased their material from Slow Burn, but the songs merged together. Nobody seemed to mind, though. The Hopetoun was fairly full, and people undoubtedly enjoyed The Vandas, but I wasn’t completely sold. I’d like to see a little more of that country twang from 2006 In The Morning EP, but perhaps that’s just me.