Thursdays Page @ Amplifier,Perth (20/05/11)

Sun 22nd May, 2011 in Gig Reviews

A strong line up of local artists turned out to Amplifier on Friday May 20 in support of the local alternative rock act Thursdays Page as they released their latest EP In The City Tonight.

Cat Black opened the evening in splendid, dramatic style. They combine elements of garage blues and punk into a disconcerting and loud concoction. It’s a little bit PJ Harvey and Tom Waits meet the Birthday Party. Visually they are a stunning act to see, each member has dramatic differences in character yet all were dressed in uniform black.

Palatial Digs (formerly the Wilderness) followed; another young WA band that has been paying its dues around the WA music scene for sometime. From them we had country, funk and nostalgic old school rock and roll all rolled into one well-rehearsed package. The the use of saxophone as a lead instrument is intriguing. The sax has always been a sleazy instrument, and it worked well combined with the boot scooting rock of Palatial Digs. They ended their set with an ode to the homeless.

The Fags took to the role as lead support act with ferocity. It’s hard to guess why this band chose their name, was it the derogatory title for one whose sexual preferences are different to your own, or the slang word for cigarettes, maybe it was a bit of both. Needless to say this band intended to be attention grabbing; they are dirty rock and unshaven grunge rolled into one. Perth’s answer to Grinderman.

It’s exciting to see a band who doesn’t mind a bit of fun. Thursdays Page cheerily walked on stage to Billy Idol’s Hot In The City Tonight. Alternative rock is a broad genre and Thursdays Page know how to evolve their sound, they combine elements of 90’s pop, metal and indie rock; the type of songwriting that made Birds of Tokyo so successful. It was an older song, Picnic University that got the crowd moving, though the new songs also fared well. Front man Jake Hoskins handles vocal duties exceedingly well, changing key and tone at a whim, his vocals shine when the band drops back and fits perfectly when the chorus rolls in. Ben Mathews (bass) and Glen Hagger (guitar) compliment each other beautifully, both equally unique in style. Phil Watts provides keys, guitar and back up vocals while Ryan Ammon completes the picture as the backbone to every song with his energetic percussion.

Thursdays Page know how to put on a show, this isn’t their first release and it probably won’t be their last.