It’s the final night of Ska Nation at The Corner Hotel. There are murmurs through the crowd of the previous night at The Evelyn being jammed to almost capacity, has upped the anti for the finale. Everyone has turned up in their best Fred Perrys and porkpie hats as the doors have opened, not wanting to miss any of the action.
Ska Vendors have had a six month break coming into tonight’s gig, but you wouldn’t pick it. Their classic laid back cool has the crowd skanking in earnest from their opening number, the lead guitarist pealing out solos without missing a beat. There is heavy influence here from two-tone and rocksteady and a perfect opener for what’s to come.
Melbourne’s (via New Zealand) King Cannons burst onto stage. With heavy influences from punk, reggae and two-tone every song is delivered in such a way as it was meant for you alone. Raw, harsh and right on the money. Expect big things from these guys. This is not the last you have heard of the King Cannons.
One big stage and the only man who can fill it on his own, Dan Potthast and his acoustic guitar come via the USA. Dan is better known for his work with MU330 and numerous other projects and going by his performance tonight, that versatility shines through. The last half of the set he is joined by a backing band which add an extra element to his songs, but somehow it takes a little of the magic away. It takes a talented person to fill an otherwise empty stage and captivate a fevered audience.
Local favourites The Resignators packed their usual punch, pulling out all the stops for a non-stop performance which was more like a homely sing-along with mates than your usual gig where everyone just turns up to watch. The mosh pit is a frenzy of relentless, skanking crowd surfers.
Canada’s dirty reggae rockers One Night Band play like it’s their first and last gig. That this is the moment they have been working on for their entire lives. Strangely enough, they are named because they were only meant to play for one night. The lead singer drawls like he has gravel in his throat belting out reggae and rocksteady anthems. They hardly break between songs and their passion shows.
The most anticipated band of the evening is Area 7 who, as proclaimed by lead singer Stevo, have not played a Melbourne show in two years. “Sorry about that,’ he says before launching into crowd favourite Second Class Citizen. Punters have come from New South Wales and South Australia just to see these Aussie ska legends rip out their classic tunes and the boys don’t disappoint. It’s like this reviewer is reliving her late-teens all over again. The biggest response of the set goes to Nobody Likes A Bogan, the entire Corner is on its toes.
Stage invasions are high on the to-do list. Some gigs you’d see security up in a flash to haul punters off the stage, however the band welcome them as impromptu back up singers and as more and more people fill the stage it’s hard to distinguish the band from the throng. This is what Area 7 thrive on. Without your fans you are nothing and song after song is dedicated to those who have helped the band on their way and supported them from the early days to those who have brought their records. A girl jumps up on stage as shouts into the mic, “I’ve been supporting you guys since I was twelve!” to the slightly embarrassed laughter of the band.
As the boys exit the stage, there are fevered chants for more, and we all certainly hope there is in the near future.
Maybellini
said on the 4th Nov, 2009