With a large support The Spirit Levels took to the stage to play a set of their 50’s/60’s inspired rock and roll. The four piece (singer, electric guitar, double bass and drums) were obviously having a lot of fun as they played through their set bopping and dancing around. And their music was typical toe tapping, head nodding rock and roll – the problem was, that was all that it was. With a flat lining set with little variation in tempo or volume, The Spirit Levels played through a set of generic rock clichés.

Their lyrics also managed to capture these clichés with the Devil, Cadillacs, pleasure and pain, and the midnight bus all making a mention. Whilst the singer impressed with her vocal range, her accent whilst speaking drifted in and out of cutesy American and typical Australian, and her dancing… Well let’s just ignore that. Not to say The Spirit Levels are a bad band, they play well together and inspire an energy in the crowd. The issue is that their music is a tad too clichéd and requires more levels in the set.

Even are a band that inspires a similar energy. Having been around for 14 years, you would expect the Indie Rock band to know what they’re doing. Playing three shows in three days, highlighting three different EPs played in full is a mean task, but Even showed they were more than up to the task. The first EP was In Stereo, released in April 1995.

Opening the night as advertised with the whole In Stereo EP in order ( 24 Hour Cynic, Superglue, Naky Narlins, Firesale, Candle, German Shepard and Too Dark ), Even launched themselves into a rip-roaringly entertaining gig. Ash Naylor showed off his impressive frontman skills, songs were dedicated left, right and centre and back stories poured forth like the gin and tonics requested (eg; Naky Narlins is about a friends grandmother who would offer them lolly snakes – Snakey Darling?). As well as his skills at verbally entertaining it should be mentioned that his guitar skills are exceptional, as are bassist Wally Kempton and drummer Matthew Cotter – all proving that 14 years experience is something every band can dream of.

Unashamedly inspired by 60’s and 70’s pop and rock, Even played a fantastic set filled with lyrics often heartfelt (“Went both ways at a one way sign”) or hopeful (“I am a small small fire, but I keep on burning”) and even on one occasion even acknowledged rip-offs (“Puff The Magic Dragon”). With a set full of jangly pop ( 24 Hour Cynic and Kommercial Radio ) and thumping driving rock ( Beverly Drive and Going Against the Grain ). Shining Star saw the band quieten things down for an obligatory love song (“You are my shining star”) and a handful of new songs showed the audience what to expect from Even’s upcoming new album.

Special mention also must go to the cops who showed up at 11:30 to shut the gig down for noise pollution much to the annoyance of the band, providing some of the best banter of the night (“Bring them (cops) in here, I’ll buy them a beer!” – and in discussion of the public – “It’s because their Ronan Keating CD’s keep bouncing”). All together an excellent gig, with Even providing superb entertainment for the masses and showing the Spirit Levels what inspiration really should sound like.