The Ellis Collective,Waterford @ The Phoenix,Canberra (18/2/11)

Mon 21st Feb, 2011 in Gig Reviews

After braving a line so long that passing hectic kids mistook it for Mooseheads, myself and what felt like hundreds of punters were finally embraced by that old familiar mildew smell of The Phoenix for a show that was well worth the wait.

Kicking things off were Phoenix regulars Waterford. The boys played their hearts out for a rowdy yet respectful crowd who lapped up the smart lyrics and Britpop vibes with as much gusto as they lapped up their beers. Waterford’s infectious indie sounds make the dance floor seem an irresistible option, even in a venue as crowded as The Phoenix. While only a few brave souls, possibly a few drinks ahead of the rest fully succumbed to the temptation, the entire crowd bopped along in their seats for the whole set – more than warmed up and ready for the main show.

Thankfully, the buzz was long-lasting, as a few technical issues pushed The Ellis Collective’s starting time back a fair bit. A few microphone squeals and expletives later, however and the group had the whole bar under their spell. Frontman Matty Ellis may very well be a bald-headed behemoth who could snap his guitar in one hand while punching you with the other, but his powerful voice injected life and emotion into the beautifully crafted lyrics. Add to this the combination of folk, gypsy, indie and pub rock that forms the talented Collective’s distinctive sound and barely an eye was left dry in the house.

Of course, Matty Ellis doesn’t get his best blue singlet on for nothing and there was a point to all the fun – Means What it Means, the title track off the band’s debut album, had its very first public outing on Friday night. The track is typically Ellis; poetry and gravel-voiced vocals that perfectly encapsulate the ‘bloke-folk’ label the band has adopted and it offers a tantalising taste of what is surely going to be a highly sought-after album.

So if you’re a fan of folk-rock, local music, or even just guys in singlets, then grab a copy of the single – available now. For those who still can’t get enough of The Ellis Collective, get to the Means What it Means album launch, I’ll see you there.

The Ellis Collective Means What it Means album launch @ The Street Theatre, Canberra, Saturday 26th March for more info click here