You Am I, Magic Dirt, DaveGraney @ The Corner Hotel,Melbourne (08/03/09)

Tue 10th Mar, 2009 in Gig Reviews

On a Labour Day weekend, when most workers get a day’s respite from toiling at their day-jobs to pay respect to the labour union movement and to celebrate the achievements of workers, The Corner Hotel in Richmond threw the mother-of-all bashes to help bring in the public-holiday festivities. The bill proved apt, as it was stocked with some of Australia’s finest grafters – new and old – and celebrated the careers of some of the groups that are influential in defining what it is to be Oz rock royalty.

The night kicked off shortly after eight with Muscles, the Victorian-born muso who has impressively opened for such international acts as Daft Punk and Chemical Brothers, and his impressively catchy hooks and at times scratchy voice were well received by the faithful who had flocked to see the main-stays.

Next up were Geelong’s garage rock act, the brilliantly named, Frowning Clouds, and the youngsters again did not disappoint, offering a scintilating and energetic display of their 60s inspired rock – œn’ roll in what could well be an insight into a big-player in the future of the Australian music scene.

No celebration of Australian rock royalty would be complete without the man known as Dave Graney. Love him or hate him, his mixture of good tunes and humour have held him in good stead in what has become one of the longstanding careers in Oz music. Graney has appeared in many different incartnations (a lot of which feature wife and drummer Clare Moore) and his latest group, *Dave Graney and the Lurid Yellow Mist, turned up to rock The Corner with a set mostly compiled from material off their latest album, we wuz curious, as well as a few other gems of Graney offerings. While his tunes may not be to everyone’s taste who turned out for the show, Dave Graney successfully entertained the crowd with his chilled vibe and catchy hooks, and so he should – he’s a veteran now.

Without doubt the highlight of the night for this punter was Magic Dirt’s gritty yet classy set, and one was also reminded of why he had a massive crush on guitarist and front- woman, Adalita Srsen, for many a year. Formed in 1992, in Geelong, Magic Dirt became one of Australia’s longest running rock groups. While they may not have received the commercial successes that many of their fans believe they should (however they may not have left their run too late, with the band still producing quality releases), The Dirt continuously remind everyone of why they have a cult-following, and were such an important member of the ninetie’s scene. In a set laden with the band’s singles ranging their entire and lengthy career, Magic Dirt had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands, and had some pondering just how Tim Rogers and the boys would manage to top that.

What’s left to say about You Am I? The criticvally acclaimed Oz mainstayers continue to rock venues all over the country, and produce albums of quality (2008s Dilettantes was well received throughout Australia in particular). Formed in 1989, You Am I were the first Austalian band to have three albums successively debut at #1 on the ARIA charts, and they built up a large following based on their renowned live performances, and gained an array of high-profile fans such as Soundgarden. You Am I’s set was bursting with hit after hit, including Berlin Chair, a stripped-down version of Heavy Heart and Cathy’s Clown to name but a few, and the hits just kept on rolling on. The set also included highlights such as a duet with Adalita Srsen, and a rendition of The Clash’s London Calling (which Rogers explained was not that band’s best song, but rather one that his band knew).

In what was a sizzling evening of good tunes and long-weekends, tonight’s extravaganzer was one to be rivalled. As a celebration of some of Australia’s premiere and pioneering band’s, The Corner Hotel compiled an enviable bill, and if this wasn’t the gig with a little something for everybody, then that gig is just not possible.

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