My Fiction, Re:Enactment, TheBaby Seal Club, Moon Jog @ TheZoo, Brisbane (21/04/2011)

Mon 16th May, 2011 in Gig Reviews

It’s difficult to anticipate the exciting showcase of local talent to be seen as couples and small groups trickle casually up the stairs of The Zoo on a seemingly laidback Thursday night. Moon Jog make a concerted effort to inject the first dose of energy into the Easter long weekend. The band play loose, extended jams interspersed with agitated, stop-start vocals as a sole afro-adorned individual dances upfront and fittingly foreshadows the hairstyles of the headliners. The three-piece end their competent set early, picking up speed in the final song with a lay out of electronic effects which would become a running theme for the rest of the night.

The Baby Seal Club ’s highly enjoyable synth-assisted indie rock invites a sizeable group of punters onto the dancefloor to twist, bop and shimmy. A flashing green light spotlights the bass drum intro as the four-piece’s horizontally-striped tees stand out vividly from the darkened stage. The self-proclaimed psychedelic-pop and electro-funk sounds from the band’s debut EP, Paradise, translate colourfully in a live setting. It’s clear The Baby Seal Club aim for nothing but a good time and end their set with the aptly titled Happy Too.

The third support, Re:Enactment, project a more obscure brand of electro-rock and continue the dance-party now spread throughout the cosy venue. The pigtail perched on top of the lead singer’s head soon shakes loose as he frantically plays guitar when not jerking rhythmically in front of the mic. He states their aim is to either “scare you or entertain you” and this proves true in both aspects as his band displays the most verve and carefree attitude yet. Toward the end of the set, members from My Fiction and Moon Jog double the number on stage to assist with the beating of a floor tom and general bad-dancing. The now sizable crowd take quickly to the curious musical styings of Re:Enactment and show this with an excessively loud cheer, and even an appropriate praise of “fucking amazing” from one punter.

A pleasingly short intermission is interrupted by a gathering of smoke and strobing dark blue fairylights adorning a keyboard to the right of the stage. The fade-in electronic beats of Trophy Kids builds up the necessary anticipation as the four curly-haired members of the headline act emerge from the darkness. My Fiction favour high-impact choruses and it takes only the hook of the first song to get the crowd jumping and colliding into each other.

Following the track order of their debut album, FireRomanceFire, the band then launches seamlessly into the rapid opening riff of Shanghai Surprise. After plays on Triple J, Rage and Video Hits, the feel-good lead single Every June is met with a worthy share of sing-alongs and partner-dancing, while involuntary clapping and the waving of lighters appear as My Fiction bang out a well-selected list of their catchy dance-rock songs including King St. Cops, Knives & Bombs and Witchery.

From the get-go, My Fiction project an infectious energy that makes it difficult for even the unaccustomed to not start jigging along to. Eric Robinson exudes pomp without the pretence as his baritone vocals and quirky gestures offer a strong front to the twitches, tricks and grooves of his fellow members. The band shows no sign of apprehensions and it is easy to predict they would inject their all into their live performance, whether it be in front of one or one thousand. Although not quite the sell-out show of their album launch at The Zoo last year, the small but dedicated group of punters form what is like an Easter eve party where My Fiction are the hosts. Tonight’s short but solid set is an excellent warm-up for their MUSEXPO showcase in Los Angeles in May.