Peter Combe @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide (12/12/10)

Wed 15th Dec, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Peter Combe and his motley crew are an enigma in local music. Peter and Co. are a children’s entertainment group foremost, but their prime was in the late 80s and the 90s, and their catchy numbers made up of mundane subjects seemed to stick in the minds of these children even as they reached adulthood. Rather than seek younger audiences, Peter plays to the same people that were his bouncing smiling fans 20 years ago, now of drinking age. So following an all-ages matinee show on this warm Sunday, there was an 18+ crowd probably more eager than the young crowd of the afternoon.

Up first however was Vincent’s Chair Trio. A three piece on keyboard, viola and guitars, Chair provided whimsical melodies and lighthearted vocals reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. There was a bunch of genres covered here with everything from pop and jazz to folk and world music getting a look in during this short warm up set. There was some proficiency and creativity on show but crowd reactions didn’t look overly positive, then again there aren’t many bands that would fit the bill with Peter.

More and more people donned newspaper hats in anticipation of the nostalgic and spritely experience of effectively meeting a childhood hero. The Crunchy Munchy VERY Sticky Christmas Band started playing instrumentally for a few bars before Peter took the stage and was greeted by a sea of newspaper and some intense cheers. Opening with a number from his Christmas album to set the mood for this holiday season, Peter and co. went on to play songs including Juicy Juicy Green Grass, Spaghetti Bolognese, Jack and the Beanstalk and No Room in the Inn. My highlight was the call-and-response classic Mr Clicketty Cane. The style is preschool aimed melodic and repetitious sounds and subject matter, with emphasis on audience participation, and somehow this all works to translate to a mature audience who remember the tunes despite not hearing them for at least a decade.

Peter was joined on stage in the Sticky Christmas Band by 20 year veteran musos on keys, drums and bass, and his own offspring fill out on backing vocals and guitar, with one spot left for another backing singer. They are all proud of their sound achievements, clearly still have fun with what they are doing, and they do it well. Throughout the night the drunks made themselves heard, for example annoyingly yelling and misnaming song titles. This foolishness culminated in two unsightly ladies dancing on stage for the last part of the final song. Favourites Toffee Apple and Newspaper Mama were left as climax of the 90 minute set. Happy Christmas to You was a fine send off in the encore and the crowd were given a lifted state of mind to last for the holidays.