Jimmy and The Mirrors, ColonelKernel, Tabula Rosa @ Jive,Adelaide (13/06/09)

Tue 16th Jun, 2009 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

Tabula Rosa were the opening act at Jive on Saturday night, playing a steady bunch of songs including 624165 and Forever Relux, with lead singer Tom Robinson demonstrating some strong vocals. Though I do want to say that these boys need to work the crowd a bit better to spark interest for those that don’t know them, however this was probably due to their two year vacation from the music scene (after losing a guitarist). Despite the rust they played well but their heavier sound didn’t really work as a smooth intro to the more upbeat vibe of the other bands playing that night.

Starting off slowly, the venue started filling up nicely in time for the second act, this is when it started getting lively. Colonel Kernel did a good job of employing the crowd and putting on a show. Of the three or so guys at the front of the crowd really getting into it, Colonel Kernel’s keyboardist commented – œIt’s good to see so many fruits in the crowd tonight!’, but by the end of their act more than a few were busting their moves to Colonel Kernel’s characteristic funk/blues infused rock. Opening with Super Striker with its Pink Panther-esque sax work, this song succeeded in getting everyone up and moving! They continued to play a few songs including old fave Coliseum with its marching band theme. Good vocals were to be heard from their lead singer and riffs on guitar from in this song, but you can’t go past the sax players that seem to add that key ingredient to the group. After their closing rendition of Gun little Gun which featured an impressive whistling open from Colonel Kernel’s keyboardist, Jimmy and his Mirrors took to the stage.

Starting off with one of their older songs The People are calling Jimmy and The Mirrors followed up with a strong set of songs including Cinderella and The Story of the Ballard a relatively new song for the band. Said to be written about the political turmoil and atrocities committed in Kenya last year. They played a good show and managed to sustain the feeling Colonel Kernel had instilled in the crowd earlier in the night.

Overall a good and varied mix of music was pumped out by the bands playing Saturday night at Jive. Being a relative newcomer to the Adelaide scene I did not know much about the bands before, but they did not disappoint! And although Colonel Kernel was the highlight of the evening for me, Tabula Rosa and Jimmy and the Mirrors put on a good show.

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.