Brigette Handley and the DarkShadows, Hytest, CharlieGreaser @ ANU Bar, Canberra15/08/08

Tue 19th Aug, 2008 in Gig Reviews

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It was pretty obvious judging by the very small crowd assembled to hear some tunes, and those that were just there for a drink and a game of pool, that the night’s lineup would be much more suited to a venue like The Basement. But after bumping into one of the Raven employees, who helped host the event, I discovered that The Basement was already booked.

Canberra’s Charlie Greaser opened proceedings with their rockabillish sound accompanying their stocky Josh Homme-esque looking singer’s growling vocals. Their fun and upbeat set was warmly greeted as they delivered songs from their newly Memphis-recorded E.P., along with the promise of an Elvis Presley cover – the following day being the anniversary of Elvis’ death. There was something I couldn’t help but think was missing from the Charlie Greaser sound. Then when singer Charlie Tizzard pointed out that they had a stand in bassist, for usual double bassist Dean Tierney who has recently left for France, I knew that we weren’t getting the full Greaser experience. The Elvis cover was indeed the highlight of the set, as an Elvis impersonator emerged complete with black bejeweled jumpsuit to belt out the lyrics to Elvis’ Burning Love over the top of the band playing Black Sabbath’s Paranoid. Strange – but it worked well.

Next on stage were Hytest. The motley Wollongong trio rocked out songs that emoted sounds of early Nirvana, Motorhead and a hint of the Misfits. I can’t remember when I’ve been so instantly impressed by an unsigned Aussie act. Bassist/vocalist Luke is entertaining as he awkwardly moves around the stage belting out grooves between stints at the mic. Conversely, guitarist Mick is steadfast in front of his stand, for the most part, with his head down and his mind on the delicious classic 70’s rock riffs.

After manning the merch stand all night, headliners Brigette Handley and the Dark Shadows came out on stage for the last show of their current tour in support of their newly released Stand Off EP. They opened the set with the EP’s eponymous track and were solid from start to finish. The audience was transfixed as the girls surgically rocked through their songs, including their cover of Devo’s Freedom of Choice. Guitarist/Vocalist Brigette performed each and every song with a serious sensuousness to her vitriolic punk-rock tunes lashed with pop sensibilities. Bassist Carly and drummer Nerida rocked every bit as hard as their Dark Shadow compatriot. Carly possibly more so, by closing the night with her feet and shoulders on the floor, back arched, and bass guitar thumping. Then, no sooner than the show was over and the ladies left the stage, the Dark Shadows were back on their post at the merchandise.

It was weird. I thought Charlie Greaser was great, and that they were going to be hard to top. But Hytest were a different type of great. And BH&TDS were a third equally delicious, yet different flavour. I was having an unexpectedly good night. It was just a shame, because the bands deserved much more than the one man drunken mosh that they were greeted with.