The Mess Hall @ Rosemount,Perth (26/03/10)

Tue 30th Mar, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Stuo’s Gallery

The Rosemount Hotel was buzzing with those who’d had more than a few after-work drinks as well as excited, clean-dressed types who were ready for an entertaining night out. And that’s just what they got last Friday night as part of The Mess Hall’s national tour for their latest album, For The Birds.

Sydney four-piece, Cabins, didn’t waste any time jumping into a lively, polished set with Catcher in the Rye beginning their fiery performance Although they’re relatively unknown in the west, they enticed a small gathering of beer drinkers to the stage. Frontman, Leroy Bressington’s restrained yet evocatively aggressive voice provided a contrast during the softer tones of the guitar, particularly in the acoustic rendition of popular tune, Oceanic Blues. Appearing comfortable on stage, the band’s intense electric riffs and unpredictable, momentous choruses unlocked the short attention spans of many punters, leaving them satisfied and curious.

The growing anticipation in the air dissipated almost completely as indie band, Bridezilla, followed.

Hailing from Sydney, the predominantly female five-piece barely acknowledged the audience from the beginning of their long and dreary set. Dressed for a funeral, Bridezilla delivered a passive and uninteresting performance given the presence of a saxophonist and violinist in the band. Although there were moments when Holiday Sidewinder, enticed with her melodious voice, most of the audience’s attention was drawn to Daisy Tulley as she frantically jerked about the stage with her violin. Tulley’s entertaining stage movements and Sidewinder’s occasional tapping of a tambourine were small highlights in an underwhelming performance considering the excitement generated from the band’s debut album, The First Dance.

By the time The Mess Hall strode onto stage, the tame crowd had transformed into a large mosh of expectant and eager fans. The lost energy and enthusiasm was immediately retrieved when lead vocalist, Jed Kurzel, simply asked the audience, “How you going?” and then smiled cheekily and launched into My Villain, the first track from their latest album. And so the foot-tapping, head-jerking, dancing and moshing began.

With Kurzel’s strong vocals and Cec Condon’s tight, rapid drums, it was evident from the beginning that this would be worth the ticket price. The grungy fans were happily entertained as the drum solo that introduces Pulse from Devil’s Elbow threatened to burst the eardrums of those soaking it up on the frontline.

Re-living the past, Disco 2, saw some manic dancing take place from the old-school kids in the crowd and Kurzel himself. His sharp dance movements in time with Condon’s drums during new tune Long Time Death created an entertaining visual spectacle.

New Ornithology had the crowd yelling the lyrics back at Kurzel as he belted out, “How high the moon, sailing over me”. The slow electric guitar combined with the rough snare in Bell provided an appropriate contrast to the fast-paced rock tunes that began the set. The softer rhythms and predominant vocals in Bare were a refreshing change mid set.

New tune Tijuana 500 was delivered dirty, rough and untamed. The unrestrained vocals and commanding drums resulted in an infectious disease of dancing amongst the now sweaty crowd that continued through old tunes Pills and Keep Walking. Kurzel’s surprising decision to remove his shirt and join his hardcore front-row fans during the epic chorus in Lorelei was the stimulus that turned the dancefloor into a jumping, chaotic abyss that endured right up until the end.

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