The Angels were well received by a legion of true fans at Adelaide’s favourite live music venue on the weekend. From the support acts first note to the end of the encore, this was a night distinctively Australian.

The cold weather is breaking, but The Gov is still cold out the back. It’s nice to see a crowd come together and even welcome some newer younger faces. From the ashes of 80’s band Boss, former northern suburbs boy Craig Csongrady and guitarist Kevin Pratt began the night perfectly with their new creation, BB Steal. Pub-rock has a special place in this country’s collective psyche and this band produced rock chords and a sound that belongs in the bandrooms of suburban pubs (think pre-pokies) all over the country. Whilst rumours of a Kevin Borich appearance had been spreading like wildfire, and more than one salt and pepper had had their fingers crossed, there didn’t seem to be a disappointed tapping toe or nodding head in the house.

The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel had, what could only be described as one of the most vertically challenged audiences to ever grace their backroom. Odd considering they’d all come to see one of the tallest front men in Aussie rock history. The Angels, Live By Request is an excellent concept. Through their website a competition had been run to come up with the set list the fans wanted. The winning list was a trip back to many childhoods, teenage years and, hell they’ve been around for a while, even young and not so young adulthoods. Whilst they may have been around since the early 70s, these elaborate and fantastical dinosaurs still have a strong following and still put on one hell of an entertaining show.

The clash between a ten-foot tall renaissance man accompanied by dark-sunglass wearing rockers (complete with self-indulgent guitar solo, thank you very much) and the sub 5’ 8”, I-thought-I’d-bring-my-own-stubby-holder-along crowd, never seemed wrong. ed by a French speaking outrage, with red-tie and Cosmo Kramer hair, this is what Australian rock was, is and always should be… truly Oz and truly out-there.

The Angels, Live By Request have 9 more shows across the country. Their songs are part of the Australian cultural landscape. Get along, check them out and be a part of the crowd. It’s nice when such a fun group, attracts such great crowds. Who wouldn’t want to join in?