Augie March, Gareth Liddiard &Dan Luscombe @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide (04/07/09)

Wed 8th Jul, 2009 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

If there were any excuse to escape the cold and sit settle in front of the warm surrounds of The Gov this was it. On paper the double bill of Augie March supported by Gareth Liddiard and Dan Luscombe who make up half of The Drones looked quite solid for the asking price.

To be blatantly honest I’ve never been a huge fan of The Drones and their solo set did very little, in fact nothing at all, to change my mind or at the very least win me over. Being an old bastard with not a lot of time it’s like ‘entertain me mother trucker’ as there could be better ways to pass the time. For me, each song was another one closer to the end of the set as I lost interest quickly as my mind wandered, not really paying much attention at all… sorry!

The changeover seemed to take an eternity and close to forty five minutes lapsed before Augie March hit the stage at quarter past ten. There had been many a discussion about their long term future in the music press and amongst fans whether this would be the last time forever or the last time for 2009. Regardless, this was an added incentive to check them out, as there is no secret that Glenn Richards is plotting a solo career at some point and future Augie March gigs may be few and far between if at all.

Augie March in short were lacklustre and really lacked spark and any sense of soul. They are the kind of band that is either on fire and will play a belter or be straight out terrible. Unfortunately, Augie March was disappointing and I don’t think I was the only one to think that. I would have thought whether this is the last show ever or for 2009 there would be a lot more energy and passion about what they’re doing.

It doesn’t help either when people continually talk the whole way through about their dull, meaningless and uninteresting lives… do us all favour and bugger off or better still save forty sobs and talk to your hearts content at the front bar.

It looked like Glenn was going to leap from the stage and brain a couple of chit chatters down the front during The Slant. Compounded by sound problems during The Devil In Me Glenn still looked frustrated. On the positive side it was pleasing to hear Maroondah Reservoir and There’s Something At The Bottom Of The Blackpool that have been refreshed for this tour. My favourites for the night were One Crowded Hour, Blackpool, Brundisium and There Is No Such Place saving it from being a total waste.

Don’t get me wrong I like Augie March… they are talented, they write and play good music and have the potential to be one of Australia’s most renown bands but fall down terribly with the consistency of their live shows. Where to from here? I think a well earned break to ponder the future.

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.