Short Stack, For Our Hero,Fushia @ The Tivoli, Brisbane(09/04/2010)

Sun 25th Apr, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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All ages gigs have a few disadvantages, no alcohol and exceptionally high pitched screams being the main negative factors, but on the plus side, at 5 foot 3, its generally the only time I tower above the punters, or anyone else for that matter. At Short Stack ‘s gig at the Tivoli on Friday night, thanks to the mainly under 16 crowd, my dreams of being tall were realised.

Local boys Fushia promised a catchy set from the beginning with synth melodies and a pop, punk, indie, Mexican fusion of deliciously light and fun rock. With their energetic stage presence and songs about tacos, the boys quickly won over the eager crowd, showcasing a quirky mix of genres, even busting out the harmonica mid way through their set. Not the most musically mature act to hit the Tivoli stage, but what Fushia lack in experience they make up with energy, charm and enthusiasm, and they quickly found themselves a gaggle of new fans.

Melbourne boys For Our Hero hit the stage next, giving off a distinctly The Academy Is vibe, with their lead singer nailing the look with the v neck shirt and artfully tousled hair. Reminiscent of When Destiny Fails, For Our Hero combine perfect addictive pop rhythms and melodies with impressive vocal range and a charismatic stage presence. The boys quickly whipped the crowd into a near state of hysteria with every mention of Short Stack.

The most notable element of For Our Hero’s set, apart from being musically entertaining and engaging was the genuine likability of the boys. You get the feeling that these are kids you would actually want to hang out with.

And then the waiting began. And then some more waiting…until the mainly female crowd almost reached breaking point. Hitting the stage to ear splitting screams, the Short Stack boys arrived in a flurry of lights, sounds and a whole lot of swagger.

Love them or hate them, it has to be said, these boys are remarkably talented at marketing themselves. Springing from obscurity almost 5 years ago, Short Stack has quickly won over thousands of fans from across the globe. And when you listen to their music, it’s not entirely confusing why. Short Stack have mastered the art of pop rock that’s innocent enough to please parents, but still a little rebellious to select teenage ears. And they know how to perform it. With two extra touring musicians on stage the band has a well rounded sound and managed to deliver all the crowd favourites including Drop Dead Gorgeous, Shimmy A Go Go and Princess. The light show and frequent wardrobe changes also add to the extravagant feel of the show, not to mention sending their fans wild.

Here’s the thing – yes they can play their instruments, and while their sound isn’t to everyone’s taste, one has to appreciate how far they have managed to come in such a short time. Short Stack live, well, they are arrogant, rude, condescending and have the biggest onstage egos this reviewer has come across in years. With frequent f bombs, jokes about sex with underage girls and getting wasted, you wonder if Short Stack actually knows who their fans are. There’s something extremely unlikable about a band who mocks their fans inability to go out after the show. In no way am I suggesting they shouldn’t swear or talk about sex or drinking, just not on stage to a mainly under 16 crowd, especially seeing as many of the kids were accompanied by their parents. It’s not rebellious, it’s not witty, it’s just awkward and a shame as it overshadows their potential to appeal to a wider audience.

Despite Short Stack mocking them, their fans do love them, and well, we were all teenagers once, and we all have that band we’re a little ashamed we used to love. Perhaps after a bit of growing up off stage, the boys will sort themselves out, but until then, don’t waste your money.