Ryan Meeking and the Few @ TheEvelyn, Melbourne (17/12/09)

Sun 20th Dec, 2009 in Gig Reviews

When Santa came onstage to introduce Ryan Meeking and The Few, I decided that it was my lucky day. Not only was I in for a superbly tight band playing fast, loud and fun tunes, but Santa, the generous man that he is, showered us with lollies from his magic sack.

After that excitement, the stage lights dimmed and in twinkling fairy lights, the band’s name glowed above the guitar toting silhouettes. When the lights gradually lightened, I noticed that Ryan Meeking was sitting at the keyboard. His powerful voice filled the Evelyn Hotel Band room and the show began.

After the first song, Meeking thanked Santa for taking time off from the Poles to introduce them. He also warned us to be careful with the lollies. “They’re a bit tangy,” he said. They were indeed.

Also tangy, or rather just good, were the band’s new songs. Since releasing their sold-out debut EP Broken Cars and Empty Pockets, and finding similar success with their latest EP Night Owls, they have written some new material and Meeking confirms that there is an album on the way. “At some point,” he eludes. “We’ve built a studio and been locked away in my home town of Kyabram, so hopefully early next year.”

As the band belts out a romping rendition of Morning Bird, it occurs to me that they’re musically very tight, and have been throughout the whole gig. Meeking’s honest, narrative-based lyrics and his earnest and vigorous voice ducks and weaves through the musical base built by the Few and Meeking’s own driving acoustic guitar.

Sitting at the kit is Corey Gall; his forceful bashing powers the band along but it’s his precision with the sticks and his seemingly enthusiastic playing style that draws my attention. I spend some time watching him as he grooves, limbs flailing but all the while holding the beat steady.

Throughout the evening, cheerful on-stage banter keeps the crowd enthralled between songs. Stories of a gig in a country town with an audience totaling twelve people, and a cringe-worthy story of on-tour road kill experiences draw giggles and gasps from the Evelyn’s substantial audience (compared to Doyalson, as Meeking tells us).

Ryan Meeking and the Few are talented musicians and it’s great to see that they also relate to and interact with their audience. Before leaving the stage before the encore, they sincerely thank us for coming. “We’re lucky to have friends and people who actually know us,” Meeking says, grinning.

It’s the roaring chants of the audience that bring the band on stage once more. Playing a song from their first recording, their fans begin singing along and dancing. “We’re glad you went for it,” Meeking says of the encore, “because we really wanted to play this one!”

After a short encore of one song, the band leaves the stage but alas, the audience is still not satisfied. “We want more,” they chant. The house lights don’t come on so we’re waiting in anticipation until the well-dressed lads grace the stage for one last song. “We’re running out of songs now,” says one. “We’re not a fucking wedding band,” says another. And no, they’re not. They’re far, far better.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE