Strange Talk, Waterford, TheSodapops, The Last Prom @Trinity Bar, Canberra (1/5/11)

Wed 4th May, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Dickson played host to five fantastic local acts for the new Live Sundays at Trinity Bar, featuring indie kids Strange Talk, the crowd pleasing beautifully damned The Last Prom, tight-jean-wearing rockers Waterford, punk duo Crash the Curb, as well as young up-and-coming groups The Sodapops and Elisha Bones.

To start off the show for the early birds at four o’clock, two-piece Elisha Bones took to the stage in the fading sunlight, filling the bar with marvellous guitar layering backed by a magnificent and talented drummer. Frontman Michael showed off his great voice range with a set of melancholic indie-style rock. He later said to the eight of us watching, “[That’s] just what you need to hear on a Sunday, a guy wailing at you. Especially if you got real drunk the night before.” Elisha Bones are definitely a budding act to keep an eye on for the future.

Next up was Canberra punk rockers Crash the Curb. This young twosome blew out the bar with beefy guitar riffs and a whole lot of attitude. There was a mixed reaction from the scarce audience at Trinity, but it was Sunday after all. The set from Crash the Curb brought a dark, thicker atmosphere to the stage that fitted well with the fading light outside, while those inside rocked out on their bar stools.

Then as the sun dipped below the horizon, The Last Prom came out to brighten the afterlives of the beautiful damned. You’d think this would be perfect for a Sunday recovery crowd, but sadly only two loyal fans turned out in full costume. However, the tragic, torn and tattered prom couple helped get the rest into the mood. It didn’t take long for the audience to be captivated by the wonderful dual vocals of Julia Johnson (of Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens) aka Famine and Nick Delatovic aka the Son of the Beast. What ensued was a fantastic set of heart-warming, toe-tapping tunes from the emotional ballad Run to the Love through to the epic finish of Lovers!

Changing pace a little, young, heavy funk rock group The Sodapops got people grooving with their unique, loungy sound. Imagine for a moment a lounge band at a casino around after-dinner drinks that suddenly bursts into funky bass riffs, then BAM! That’s what a set from The Sodapops is like. Their fun-sized vocalist Nichola may be small, but can really belt it out over the heavy bass from Ryan, and super-skills of guitarist Grant. They really showed off in their cover of Rihanna’s Umbrella featuring some serious wah pedal talent and bass so heavy you saw the light fixtures vibrating. These funksters even managed to have a small following on the dance floor by the end of the set.

The fifth group up was the underappreciated Waterford. These guys were really fantastic, showing off their ability to take you onto a musical tangent then bring you back to the song again. Even though the crowd had swelled in anticipation of the final act, Strange Talk, most people avoided the dance floor, sadly leaving the band playing to the sound man. Even the epic guitar solo at the end of their set didn’t attract anyone closer to the stage.

Finally, Strange Talk took to the stage and straight away asked everyone to “skooch closer.” Upon realising that this band was finally Strange Talk, the audience obliged. From the get-go, they had fans in the palm of their hand, even managing a little sing-along. Strange Talk was actually impressed by the meagre turn-out, since their show in Toukley the night before had about two people. 
As ten o’clock came and went, the crowd halved. But those who stayed got to hear the awesome cover of No Doubt’s Hella Good, which included a super-face-melting solo by guitarist Gill. They also got to hear the much anticipated first single Is it Real?

Needless to say, in spite of the Sunday crowd Strange Talk and indeed all the acts at Trinity’s Live Sundays launch knew how to put on a great show, and there will hopefully be more on the way.