Skybombers @ Revolver,Melbourne (16/7/09)

Mon 20th Jul, 2009 in Gig Reviews

The energy at the Skybombers gig seeped through the boys pores, into our clothes, the walls, and oozed out onto the street, to a bouncer who previously had ‘no idea what they’re like’, and any lucky passers-by.

From the minute the sound of Skybombers broke the quieter muffle of chitchat and clinking glasses, it felt as if it had been wrenched from the bowels of some sort of rock labyrinth, and bathing in its glory was a pleasure indeed. Apparently it was ‘splendid to see so many smiling faces’ but we were quickly informed that ‘I would expect nothing less from you’.

Just like a really damn creepy Bowie in Labyrinth , Hugh Gurney wavered a finger over the audience as if to cast a hypnotizing hex upon the gathered listeners. Shirts were stripped off the boys by the third – or very latest – fourth song, which was fitting as we were instructed to ‘get a bit sexual and take off all your clothes and sandals’ despite the icy temperatures outside. Always Complaining induced everyone into a unified head-nod and sounded as refined live as on their records.

Introducing Sam Bethune on guitar in excess of six times, one had to wonder about Gurney’s true spring of energy and influence. But whatever the drug – passion, booze, or a wealth of other things fun, the Skybombers peaked high and long that night.

Gurney continued the quirkiness and thanked us erroneously for attending on a Wednesday night, warning us we shouldn’t be out on a school night. We were also thanked for ‘prying ourselves away from Harry Potter’ and in return the ‘Bombers continued to give one hundred and ten percent for every song and strum.

Despite much of the crowd appearing to be made up of friends and family, it was clear the whole room was eager for the encore, which they were served with honour and passion. Nothing could detract from the Skybombers cover of Money (That’s What I Want) – what a night!