The Galvatrons @ Revolver,Melbourne (8/5/09)

Wed 13th May, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Glam-rock and memories of the 80s aren’t likely to be the first things you’d associate with Revolver nightclub on Melbourne’s infamous Chapel Street. Then again, who would have ever thought an apparently fun-loving host of Deal or No Deal would come to mind in the same sentence? Regardless, the venue was booked to host local product The Galvatrons as they toured the country to promote new single, yet relatively old song, Cassandra.

Proceedings began with the thrash rock and roll sound of Thomy & the Tanks, paying homage to their hometown of Goulburn with electrifying opener Gtown Paradise. An immediate guitar solo from Matt Elms and frequent jams were a sign of things to come, with front man Thomy Sloane putting an exclamation point on the chaos with evil chuckles and Bronx-esque screams. The four-piece possess an excellent stage presence and despite only a typically mediocre crowd for the opening band of a gig, they performed as if they held a primetime festival slot. The set culminated with the guest appearance of the band’s harmonica-wielding friend Synx for closer Grail.

Second up was Melbourne product The Rock City Riff Raff, with the first impression being mixed thanks to Jared Kitney on vocals. While he belted out the bands classic rock numbers with an air of Jimmy Barnes about him, the Axle Whitehead resemblance he sported was a more forgettable attribute. Consistent with the headliner for the evening was the evident musical influences of yesteryear, with Aerosmith and Gunners posters a likely feature on their walls as teens. The strange yet amusing highlight came as a guitar solo was unleashed from a piggy-back position as Kitney escorted his new 11 foot tall band member throughout sections of crowd.

While not bursting at the seams, Revs had filled to near capacity for the main event of The Galvatrons, with an unsurprising surplus of testosterone en masse in the front. Johnny Galvatron, while still eccentric and fired up by most people’s standards, appeared to hold off on the cheese factor compared to shows past. While a well-timed fist pump here and there still emerged, the slightly more conservative approach made the performance more about the music and less about the flair. But that didn’t bother the patrons down front, slam-dancing their way through favourites When We Were Kids and Donnie’s on TV.

Another beauty of The Galvatrons live show is the individual traits and mannerisms each member brings to the fore, albeit accidentally. Most notable is Gamma, who stands strong behind his keys with utmost concentration while oozing a little bit of cool as he shoots glances to his comrades. Condor manages to pick up the bass line while rocking his hair back and forth perfectly in time with each tune, while Bozza bashes away at the skins and does a sterling job of looking like a young Tommy Lee.

A little taste of the bands upcoming debut LP was heard in the form of title track Laser Graffiti, with release of the album slated for June 19. Cassandra gave all in attendance an instant song to sing along to, even for those who’d never heard it before, as the repetitive chorus provides a strange sense of empowerment to those who choose to use it. After adequate applause were reached the quartet returned to stage for one more, Gamma’s bouncing synths opening up tasty night-cap, Robots Are Cool.

While The Galvatrons maintain the contradiction of being a band from the future while writing 25-year-old music, it’s a winning formula that draws in both the curious and the nostalgic in their quest for a good time.

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