Hoodoo Gurus, The Break, GunStreet Girls @ Hi Fi, Brisbane(29/04/2010)

Thu 6th May, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Melbourne’s Gun Street Girls have a distinct resonating flavour of Australia’s ACDC. Lead singer and guitarist, David Larkin ‘s enthusiasm and presence resembles that of a youthful Angus Young with a surprising vocal range that sounds sweet at times. The ACDC (screaming and projection) influence is most predominant in the song How I Roll.

The trio all have an individual persona on stage; as for mentioned Larkin is similar to Young, drummer Callum Barter looks and plays like Dave Grohl from his Nirvana days, and bassist Dave Butler in his fedora hat should be on the streets of New Orleans. The obvious difference in appearances is also apparent in the Gun Street Girls music style, each member brings their own particular flair to the show. The unification of varying characters works for a delivery that is sharp, tight, with a shifting rock edge.

The predominately thirty something Oz rock crowd waits in anticipation for the arrival of the newly formed band,The Break. The overawed punters are eagerly impressed with the history of band members, Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes),Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey (Midnight Oil). Though, it is not the names that pull them through but their pure professionalism, it is nice to listen to real experts create a musical journey.

The Break‘s debut album, Church Of The Open Sky was released two weeks ago and is an extraordinary mash of old and new; surf conscience with a streak of Midnight Oil and a dash of Violent Femmes. The variation and range of the instrumental aural delight are different in style but have a common flavour of old world rocker charm. S.Q.U.I.D. is psychodelic, hippy surfer sounding, Winkipop is the best instrumental song in Australia, Massacres sounds like prancing around a giant lollipop while experiencing the aggression and power of life and Cyclops demonstrated fast drums and deep useful bass. Also, The Break covered the Wedding Cake Island, Link Wray ‘s Rumble (Pulp Fiction) and a Russian Protest Song.

Sounds like; go go dancing, synthesised, Pink Floyd, strength, ability, country, Primus, rock surf, psychedelic, zing and zang. This brilliant music places you in another time and place (just like your last beach holiday) and is appreciated and respected by the crowd. The proficient rockers are having the time of their lives by sharing their authentic experimental instrumental music.

It has been almost two years since Brisbane has been graced with the wonderful pleasure of enjoying Australia’s favourite band Hoodoo Gurus, leading man Dave Faulkner agrees and promises to return this year. Punters are over jubilant towards the band and Faulkner is nothing but greatful to his Brisbane friends. On the tour for their Purity of Essence albulm, the Hoodoo Gurus ooze vibrancy, enthusiasm and a willingness to share their new and old songs.

Hoodoo Gurus poetical lyrics are emotional and united with simplistic, toe tapping instrumentals that aid in giving the perfect performance. The new Purity of Essence songs have a distinctly different flavour to that of their old stuff, an inner strength that holds an interesting variation to that of old. New songs played; Ashamed of Me, Hope Your Happy (is written about an old friend) and the big audience pleaser was Crakin’ Up.

The oldies but goodies were delivered faultlessly; I Want You Back is more mature sounding than ever, the experienced band obviously has the song down pat with an added new angle of sensibility. Bittersweet provids the audience in a clean cut organised manner, the audience sung along to My Girl, the flipped out Miss Free Love is receipted with a crazy psychedelic crowd, Come Anytime is a winner, the crowd sent out general love and song to A Thousand Miles Away and _Whats My Scene_was awesome.

The mob gave the*Hoodoo Gurus* a standing ovation and as ever they are gracious and humble of the cheering, bowing out with encore I Think You Knew I Was A Kamikaze Pilot.