The Seabellies, We SayBamboulee @ Oxford ArtFactory, Sydney (29/1/11)

Mon 31st Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Parking generally isn’t a problem at most sleepovers. Nor is it common to have a fully stocked bar and a few bands on the program. However, being the inaugural Oxford Art Factory Sleepover, this was always going to be a night of firsts…

With a nod to those aforementioned parking troubles, Tin Sparrow were already stomping out the last song of their set by the time hands were stamped. They sounded right at home amongst the tide of thigh slapping indie folk presently dominating the country and it’s national youth broadcaster. Able songwriting and uplifting melodies were all firmly in place onstage, as was a superfluous stuffed tiger that did very little at all compared to the rest of the band.

Earthy timbres were replaced by Only the Sea Slugs, who are the sort of crew renowned for haunting venues like the OAF. They played a moody and vaguely dance-able brand of indie rock, sweating reverb and synth lines. Amusingly, they touted a frontman who closely resembled Julian Casablancas in appearance and sound, but sadly lacked the NY charisma and rhinestone jacket (his was LA Lakers). Their songs were well polished but only shone occasionally, but were still quite well received well despite some pretty rank stage banter in between.

Indie chill wavers We Say Bamboulee were a nice tropical departure. Whilst they were about as a sugary as the pre-game syrup they’d probably been drinking, but their songs were genuinely tasteful and delivered with high energy. A Casio arsenal and live drums provided a pop canvas for some incredibly tight harmonies, and their good time vibe never seemed overly contrived. Ironically, Bamboulee’s few darker or heavier moments were their most engaging. With sets like this, it’s impossible not to call their recent BDO Unearthed appearance a deserved one

A different species and style altogether to a Sea Slug, The Seabellies were the last act of the night. The band was cosy onstage but weren’t hindered in the slightest, drifting in and out from behind keyboards, guitars, and yes, even swapping drummers for the the brass fanfare of Trans Ending. The Broken Social Scene comparisons are all bang on the money, however the Seabellies are enjoyable to see and hear for all the same reasons.

Anthemic and impassioned throughout, they came achingly close to delivering some truly incredible moments entirely belittling of a mere “sleepover”, however their songwriting was just short of providing that next level to springboard from. Granted, they write excellent songs already and played many of them tonight, but there is enough talent and personnel within The Seabellies to look beyond Kevin Drew and friends, and all the potential to create staggering works in 2011.