Wolf and Cub, Tame Impala @The HiFi, Melbourne(27/03/2009)

Sun 29th Mar, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Tonight, the quality of both Wolf & Cub and Tame Impala shone through the far from subtle approach taken by the night’s sponsors, Wrangler.

We walked down the stairs of the Hi-Fi Bar, to be greeted by photographers taking photos of everyone for the Wrangler Facebook page. After grabbing a drink served to me by bar tenders in identical Wrangler shirts and jeans we wandered over to the stage to see DJ Mu-Gen playing to the side of a screen with Wrangler ads constantly looping.

About 30 minutes late, Tame Impala, the three shoe averse, long-haired boys from Perth casually strolled onto stage. Tame Impala have to be the most casual and relaxed band I have ever seen, which suits their music perfectly. The most energy they showed was when bass player, Dom, ran across stage to grab a new beer. Starting with Desire Be, Desire Go, they played a highly entertaining set of psychedelic, low-fi, loose grooved songs from last year’s EP and new songs for this year’s debut album. Highlights included Skeleton Tiger and a cover of Blueboy’s Remember Me before they closed their set with an extended version of Half Full Glass of Wine.

After another 30 minute, Wrangler ad displaying set from Mu-Gen Wolf & Cub hit the stage. I have seen these guys many, many times over the period of about 4 years and other than a slightly disinterested set at Falls this year, I have always been impressed. Tonight was no exception. Lead singer and guitarist Joel is an amazingly talented individual, who, through his guitar work, is able to create an extremely interesting and diverse range of sounds. Over the years he has also become more and more engaging as a front man. Tonight he bounds around the stage, collapses to his knees and leads the crowd to clap along to the stomping dual drumming of JC and new member Marvin.

New songs from forthcoming album show that the boys from Adelaide are definitely expanding their sound. On several occasions, including first single, One To The Other, Marvin moved from behind the drum kit to work his magic on the saxamaphone. This is definitely a new, and welcome addition to the bands sound and further cements them as one of this country’s most unique and interesting bands.

Throughout their hour long set they maintained a high level of energy switching between songs from their forthcoming second album including recent single Seven Sevens and The Loosest of Gooses (front runner for funniest track name of 2009) and older songs including This Mess and Thousand Cuts before closing the night with Steal Their Gold.

I can not end this review without letting the following story go untold: about half way through Tame Impala’s set, perhaps the most surreal thing I have ever witnessed at a gig occurred. Out of the corner of my eye, on the stairs that lead to the upper area of the Hi-Fi Bar, I kid you not, there were two models and a photographer carrying out a photo shoot for Wrangler.

What speaks volumes for the strength of performance by both bands on show tonight was the fact that for the hour that both of them were on stage, I never at once felt that I was at a Wrangler party.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE