Sydney live circuit favourites Captain Kickarse and the Awesomes played a powerful show at Luna Park’s Sonar on Saturday night. Men of few words, the Captain headlined the evening. The self-described ‘InstruMENTAL progressive rock group’ played an hour long set with inspiring energy and a twang of blues. The three piece is made up of friends bearded Alex O’Toole on drums, lanky Hugh Munro on bass and Phil McCourt on guitar.
Their sound is mesmerising and unique, with epic, metal-inspired, vocal-free songs. The rousing psychedelic rock speaks for itself without the need for lyrics. One of most original acts I’ve seen in a long time, the band’s vigour filled the room, as O’Toole drummed shirtless with wild energy and hair flaying around like Animal from the Muppets.
McCourt’s strong guitar skills recall Queens of The Stone Age and Pink Floyd, producing an emotional atmosphere through his strumming. Munro’s jazz infused and reggae-wrought basslines swirl a melodic undercurrent through the songs, speaking a musical language that proves words are totally unnecessary for this band.
Though the crowd was thinner than when I’ve seen them play before (everyone was watching the rugby), Captain Kickarse and the Awesomes channelled The Mars Volta and Led Zeppelin in their sound to a passionate audience. The track Nothing More Important fluctuates between fast and furious and mellow, while Sounds Like Ocean was slow, sad and delicate. Another song was punctuated at various intervals by the band members barking, “Rah!”
If you like your progressive rock played with true technical ability and the energy of total thrash-rock you can jump around to, make sure you check these guys out. They kick arse.
