Back Room Line-Up @ Hyde ParkHotel (20/03/09)

Mon 23rd Mar, 2009 in Gig Reviews

A mixed assortment of music was presented for a Friday night in the Hydey’s back room allowing the punters to take their pick of what flavours and varieties they preferred.

Unknown bands on the bill assured there would be uncertainty in the night’s offerings but the futile actions and frustrated conduct that resulted was bewildering.

Desperately seeking a makeover the salmon walls, wooden ceiling, parquet dance floor surrounded by airport style carpet and dog eared chairs, the back room resembles a well worn community centre. A far cry from the technical requirements of a live venue the naked air conditioner vent above the stage sucked the sound up and jarred it back out.

The Bad Vibes began the night with the beat of a drum. Following a short sound check Laurence Valentini on vocals and guitar and Robert Vacca on hand painted drum kit were an unimposing presence until they unleashed a full and well controlled blues rock sound.

With notable influence from other two piece rock/blues outfits like The Black Keys and The White Stripes, The Bad Vibes have the formula sorted right down to their 3 word name.

Something discernibly different was presented in each song and the inclusion of cow bell and harmonica were refreshing in the young and clearly uninterested in flashy threads duo. Of particular note were the songs Bite Your Tounge Sir and Peace Love and Cookies that had the bass drum butterfly buzzing to the enjoyment of the small crowd.

Calling the audience back from the bar and onto the dance floor Miche Suite started shakily with the sound out on their first song.

Coming off an extensive tour to promote their first and long awaited EP Where My Nature Lays singer Leah Miche admitted prior to the show that she’s taking it easy, despite racking up 5 shows in the preceding week. Taking a break for the husky roots singer may not be quite so easy with unyielding commitment to performance and immersion within her music.

Making do with the sound available Miche Suite had the audience clapping to the intro of Love Not Yet and off their seats and dancing for Where My Nature Lays. Harnessing their energy into a sincere musical delivery Miche Suite has the potential and prevalence in the local scene to garner more followers and hard earned accolades.

Upping the numbers on stage from two to three to five by the third set took its toll on the ailing sound system.

By the time Timothy Nelson & The Infidels hopped on stage grazes with the microphones led to shocking consequences and a band breakdown on stage.

With sound and lyrical content that offer the talented group a promising future as a musical group the onstage blow up of Timothy Nelson showed an unpalatable side that when frustrated with the sound mix and equipment began swearing and mocking his band mates and the scrambling sound man that led to a walk off.

Spitting out the words to Speak The Truth In Love Nelson decided to go on alone and play a solo set but by then he had lost his audience chatting noisily and clapping softly in response to his loutish behaviour.

Admittedly the sound was poorly mixed, the ailing equipment and venue was not appropriate and the selection of very different artists for the Friday night was perplexing however when a front man thinks he’s bigger than the $5 entry fee you know it’s time to split and find something else to listen to.