Philadelphia Grand Jury, KidSam,Young Heretics @ The EastBrunswick Club, Melbourne(23/10/09)

Mon 26th Oct, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Young Heretics, two local musicians (who also happen to be twins) whom play music that would be best described as Thom Yorke-esque or Sigur Ros given a sinister treatment. Their dark electronic songs juxtaposed perfectly with female member Kitty Hart’s eccentric dancing (at times she looked like she was having a fit) and their excellent harmonies really shone. Extra props must be given to their lighting technician who complemented their set superbly.

Kid Sam followed. On paper the duo seem simple enough – a guitar and drums combo – however they have obviously tried to mix things up. The first song started with Kieran Ryan on guitar and vocals with a slow picking style that when eventually joined by drummer (and cousin) Kishore Ryan changed things up an octave as Kishore’s seemingly random drumming jarred the audience. It didn’t sound proper, but something about it worked. Over the course of the set the songs were often cut into by random rocking out, random noise or abrupt endings. It seemed like the duo was doing everything possible to make sure they weren’t just lumped into the typical guitar/drums duo. Eventually this was their downfall as it seemed like their eccentricity just got the better of them and at times they looked like they were simply jamming and feeling for designs. The final song almost saved them with and would have left many with a great impression, if it wasn’t for the end comprised of random noise.

“We’re gonna have a party!” proclaimed a voice over the PA system as Philadelphia Grand Jury (Or the Phily Jays as they like to be known) took to the stage for the opening track No You Don’t. Appearing weak on the album, the song has obviously found new life on the live circuit and came across very nicely with vocalist Berkfinger and bassist (and a giant of a man) MC Bad Genius playing amidst swirling fog and flashing lights. Their stand in drummer for the night Calvin Welch tried to get the crowd swaying to Phillip’s Not In Love With You to no avail as Bad Genius jumped on the keys and showed off his obvious musical talent.

As the band prepared for song number three a voice rang out on the PA – it turns out Berkfinger pre-records all the show’s banter! “The vibe is so good I don’t ever want it to stop!” his voice shouted as the band started up Growing Up Alone. Welch managed to get a clap started and Berkfinger rocked out on the guitar and stopped to drink a flavoured milk before finishing the song.

When Your Boyfriend Comes Back To Town prompted Bad Genius back to the keyboard and saw Berkfinger utilising his voice as an instrument in the songs bridges and then dancing aimlessly in circles whilst playing the guitar. I’m Gonna Kill You got the audience moshing and the fact that the track has received a lot of airplay from Triple J obviously helped in getting people moving. The Phily Jays slowed things down (as well as the vocals) for Wet Winter Holiday before building them back up for The New Neil Young which was only “the third time this song has ever been played”.

Going To The Casino (Tomorrow Night) also benefitted from the radio airplay as audience jumped along and joined in singing the boppy rock song – the song finishing in an explosion of sound that was just cool. “This could be the coolest place we’ve visited,” pre-recorded Berkfingers proclaimed before the band launched into the latest single The Good News. The song was easily a crowd favourite with everyone singing along and even allowing Berkfingers to lower the microphone into the audience for the final chorus.

The highlight of the night was still to come; As the pre-recorded Berkfingers thanked the crowd for coming out, he then explained that it was their last song and that they would “kick your ass one more time”. And that was fine with us. I Don’t Want To Party (Party) is one of those songs that you hear and you just can’t help to bop along with but live it is something more than infectious. The increasingly boppy song saw Berkfinger and Bad Genius swap instruments, as the song progressed, Berkfinger looked like he was swallowing the microphone as he again. As the song started to end, the crowd was then pulled up on stage. One member of the audience was given an electric guitar, another a bass, a third pushed in front of the keys whilst a Bad Genius ran into the crowd chanting “I don’t want to party, I don’t want to party” into his microphone creating an almost conga line of sorts before jumping back into the now mass of people on stage then disappearing whilst Welch pumped out a drum solo from behind the crowd.

The Phil Jays play an extremely danceable type of music mixing influences from sixties to electronic and rock. Always moving, around, they provide a wonderful viewing experience and really know how to get the audience moving around to their extremely catchy songs. Without gushing too much about how brilliant their live show is, all I can say is that if you get a chance, see the Phily Jays!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE