Status Quo, The Screaming Jets@ Brisbane Convention Centre(11/03/2010)

Mon 22nd Mar, 2010 in Gig Reviews

It was a good excuse to break out the double denim. Yes, that infamous fashion faux pas of teaming your denim vest or jacket with your favourite denim jeans. Even better if said vest or jacket is adorned with numerous Status Quo badges and patches. Status Quo have been rocking all over the world since the late 60’s and when they rocked Brisbane it seemed like some of those said denims that were out in force had been around since then too.

With the floor area filled with seats, its not an easy task to warm up a crowd all planted firmly on their bums, but The Screaming Jets certainly tried. Proudly professing their over 20 years in the business, Dave Gleeson has lost none of his charm, and can still belt out a song along with the best of them.

Unfortunately his sense of balance isn’t quite as good as it used to be. Whether it was the fault of a few bevvies before the show, maybe an illicit substance or two, maybe just unbridled excitement and enthusiasm at playing with Status Quo or just a little of the age thing catching up with him, Gleeson managed to hit the deck once or twice during his performance- once just a slip, the other a rather bad cartwheel gone a bit awry.

Still, The Screaming Jets managed to get the place rocking, pulling out some old classics, such as Helping Hand and I Know Better, mixing them in with a little of the new stuff, such as Do Ya, and throwing in a plug or two for their new album which also happens to be called Do Ya. These guys are still a tight rock outfit worthy of a listen.

As the lights dimmed, and the obligatory mood music built to a crescendo and purple lights flashed around the centre, those slightly annoying chairs down on the floor were rendered useless, as the crowd on the floor surged to their feet and those who could crowded to the front.

The stage setup was relatively simple, the focus being on the music and from the moment Status Quo burst onto the stage it was obvious they hadn’t lost their touch. These guys are tight.

We were in for a treat. They pulled out all the classic moves, all while sporting the most amazing matching black jeans and white shoes. You just got to love those super two, three and four person co-ordinated guitar moves. Those guys can all hit the spread legged stance, standing in line, rocking back and forth with their instrument of choice, all in time. It’s an amazing sight to behold, especially teemed with the matching pants and shoes.

With a pretty extensive back catalogue they managed to cover a fair bit in the almost 2 hours they rocked the stage, rarely coming up for air, sometimes blending their songs into each other.

Opening with Caroline, the crowd rocked to Don’t Drive My Car, Hold You Back, and an awe inspiring rendition of Living On An Island rolling into Into The Army Now. The crowd loved it all. In the words of my concert-going friend, “I’ve never seen this many old people up dancing outside an RSL.”

But they saved the best for last. After a jaw dropping drum solo, the end of the main act saw the whole centre singing along to Roll Over Lay Down, Whatever You Want. They were grooving along even up in the back stalls where we were in danger of bashing our heads on the roof if we jumped around too much.

But it wasn’t all over just yet. They came back for the expected encore and got everyone rocking and singing again to Rock’n’Roll Music and Bye Bye Johnny.

Ahhh… A fantastic night, amazing tight set from a legendary band. But now it’s time to put the denim back in the closet. Well, until the next time they visit. Hopefully they won’t leave it too long, they’re not exactly spring chickens any more. A few more years and they won’t be able to pull off those co-ordinated guitar dance moves and it just wouldn’t be a Status Quo gig without them.