The Cruel Sea @ The Astor,Perth (30/10/10)

Wed 3rd Nov, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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The Cruel Sea and their unique blend of intoxicating Australian indie rock graced The Astor last Saturday night for a much anticipated, long-awaited and rarefied performance.

The band originally formed in late 1987 as an instrumental band but became best known when it was fronted by the prolific vocalist Tex Perkins. (Also a member of The Beasts of Bourbon , The James Baker Experience and others as well as a solo artist. He most recently also starred as Johnny Cash in the stage performance of The Man in Black: The Johnny Cash Story )

The Astor was maxed out. Every seat in the upper and lower tiers were taken, and the standing room in front of the stage was packed solid. The iconic art deco building originally opened in 1919 and has constantly re-invented itself ever since. It is a vision of artistic perfection from its architecture and interior design, through to its amazing acoustics.The Astor is fast finding a niche as one of Perth’s best live music venues.

Perth band Young Revelry opened the night. Providing an energetic performance with their own localised style of garage/indie/rock. There was a hint of style similar to that of Children Collide and British India but also to older bands such as Sonic Youth and Smashing Pumpkins. They were young in contrast to the headliners and most of the crowd, but age was no barrier to getting the crowd buzzing and cheering and ready for The Cruel Sea. Young Revelry will also be supporting You Am I on their November Perth dates.

No sooner were the support band finished, than a herd of people started to take their standing positions closer to the stage, not wanting to miss out on that extra metre of viewing pleasure that might make all the difference. Guarding their territory with respect to others, most of the crowd was above age 30 and consisted of a mixture of tattoos and Jim Beam cans, whilst the meeker, but just as eager, listeners stayed in their seats.

The beers were open and waiting upon the stage for the five piece and the crowd were waiting too. First out were the Instrumental members of the band, getting back to their roots with the first few songs being instrumental numbers. Ken Gormley performed some amazing feats on the bass, the man is incredibly skilled and a natural performer, whilst Dan Rumour held his own on guitar with rhythm and slide techniques.

Perkins finally made his entrance and was greeted by a full house of cheers. No longer sporting the bare feet, tracksuit-pants and navy wife-beater singlet of times past. No longer tripping drunkenly over instrument and microphone leads as witnessed in ghosts of gigs passed. This Tex emerged refined. In classy shoes and suit pants with a button up collared shirt. His was a strong masculine presence. His unmistakable deep voice propelled itself throughout the venue and entranced the crowd immediately; singing as only Tex can. His lyrics and voice were so powerful.

Every song was everybody’s favourite – Every time… Songs to mention include ‘Honey Moon Is Over’, ‘Cocaine’, ‘Hard Times’ and ‘Anybody but you’. The band finished their set to immense applause and reckless cheers, until the fans stomped their boots long and hard enough for the band to return for an encore.

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The Cruel Sea – they came, they rocked, and they conquered!