The Currency , The WoohooRevue, Jamie Hay @ EastBrunswick Club, Melbourne(22/08/09)

Fri 28th Aug, 2009 in Gig Reviews

IWhat a pleasing contrast then to walk into the East Brunswick Club and be faced with a crowd representing all manner of subcultures, which just goes to show the sheer power of convict rock, transcending through to the soul of most any music lover.

The vibe was equally pleasing with folk punk ditties coming through the PA at a good level and the room humming with eager punters. Second support, the aptly named Woohoo Revue offered chaotic gypsy folk compositions filled the place and there wasn’t a body in the room standing still. It’s a solely instrumental blend of horns, solid acoustic guitar, bass, drums and violin all bouncing around each other in fiercely energetic fashion. Caravans, dancing bears and cart wheeling children in tattered colourful rags all spring to mind.

And then at last The Currency bandied on stage. You just can’t go wrong with a style like theirs, even the never-ending prompts for handclaps couldn’t lose their novelty, just for want of an excuse to move around even more. Because quite frankly, standing still wasn’t an option, not even for anyone on crutches… wild jigging and foot stomping just what the doctor ordered! The Currency are without a doubt one of the greatest talents in Australia, delivering a completely enthralling mixture of colonial style folk and Celtic punk overflowing with beautifully captivating story-telling which just explodes live.
Good-natured pushing and shoving in the crowd turned into some serious roughhousing in no time.

The set contained loads of certified classics off the debut album, the crowd enthusiastically displaying their approval and delight and these new offerings. The band’s delight was obvious too, in particular Trav Demsey whose hyperactive drumming and crowd interaction is a sheer joy to witness. He’s a great fit with the rest of the band who are all born larrikins. Singer Justin Moore’s steadfast stance provides the serious anchor essential for the nature of the songs such as emotional jailbird ballad Victoria Rose, which had the crowd showing their old school ties by pulling out lighters to sway rather than the ever-present mobile phones.

The Currency also showed they are a sharing, caring group of musos, bringing in guest performers for a couple of tunes to bask in the fans excitement. The Woohoo Revue’s saxophonist was visibly having a ball during the toora-loora-aye’s of old favourite Gates of Hell which is genius to hear with the added horn. The crowd’s persistent shouts for Lachlan Tigers were also appeased by a fast and furious rendition; as the song goes “the scene it is a lively one and ought to be admired.”