78 Saab, Pinky Tuscadero, HolySoul, The Dolly RockerMovement, Model School, TheForgotten Army @ AnnandaleHotel, 21/06/05

Tue 5th Jul, 2005 in Gig Reviews

What a night! I knew it was gonna be a big task covering six bands but what a pleasure it was.

The Forgotten Army kicked off proceedings and after seeing the keyboard and cello on stage while they were setting up, I knew we were all up for something special. Melodious rock, full of heart and soul. In only 12 months the band has created a style distinctively their own.

Earlier this year they hit Melbourne and as recently as May, headed west to hook up with Perth band Halogen for some gigs. I was fortunate to have have a quick chat with the band’s manager Matt Croft who informed me they’ve released an EP titled Cityscape and are planning to release a full length album by the end of 2005.

The Model School were next up and what can I say, these guys rock in a groovy, hard kind of way. Anyone remember the Gliders from the ‘90s? You’ll recognise one of these guys then. Certainly no light weights, the band has been playing various venues around Sydney for the past 12 months or so. They have a self titled, recorded EP which, as well as receiving regular airplay on Sydney’s FBi radio, also made Pick of the Week from JJJs Richard Kingsmill on his program in August last year. The Model School recently took on a manager so they can concentrate on their music and are looking forward to having an album out in the not too distant future.

It was into the time machine and back to the late sixties for The Dolly Rocker Movement. We got the full sixties era garage sound from these lads and I’ll be looking forward to hearing a lot more of it. After coming together through local street press two years ago, this Sydney quartet has, between numerous local live gigs, released a self recorded demo and toured Melbourne over Easter this year.

Although still hanging on to their day jobs, networking with local bands as well as regular airtime on FBi will see The Dolly Rocker Movement seeping into your ear drums real soon.

The Holy Soul took centre stage next and holy sheet, these guys CRANKED! Influences like Leonard Cohen and The Scientists have helped  create some serious in your face rock’n’roll. 

Playing for three years now, these guys have created a spontaneous sound that will leave your ears ringing! In August last year, they released an EP titled Love Has Left The City Limits under the Reverberation label and are looking to release full length album later this year or early ‘06. Look out for it…in the mean time, look out for The Holy Soul!

Now here’s something outta left field. Pinky Tuscadero are like nothing I’ve heard for a long time but made me think of Dresden Dolls or Machine Gun Fellatio such was their stage presence. They absolutely demanded your attention! I could almost imagine sitting down in a classy caberet resturant while lead singer Hayley Foster sent seriously sexy pouts flying around the room and made us all feel fabulous! Pinky Tuscadero came together only around eight months ago but in that time have supported the likes of Hell City Glamours so you can imagine the talent they’ve pulled together, all with a maraschino cherry on top! They have shows coming up so do your self a favour.

Last but most certainly not least, 78 Saab.

As most of you would’ve guessed, they blew the roof off the Annandale. What can I say? 78 Saab are undoubtly one of Australia’s best rock acts going around and have been for quite sometime now. I spoke to Ben (lead singer) briefly after the gig and he tells me the band has been writing aggresively and are looking forward to releasing a new album early next year. The band will be trying to capture the rawness of performing live, something Ben tells me they feel they’ve been unable to capture in the past. Ben went on to tell me that, as a band, 78 Saab feel ‘excited about making music’.

After hearing their encore rendition of Neil Young’s Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World I can definitely sense their excitement. They gave 110% to the gig, the punters and, most importantly, they gave it all for the Annandale Hotel’s Fifth Birthday!