Little Red @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide (16-06-11)

Sun 19th Jun, 2011 in Gig Reviews

7:30. Marley-esque beats on the PA. Rows of under-age punters surround the stage. It’s all hiking boots and sailor stripes and fur and denim cut-offs (with obligatory hanging pockets) and balayage and knitted jumpers; pout, camera flash. Boys in skin-tight denim keep walking – boycott the wrist tagging – you’re too young.

Tonight, it’s an all-Victorian line up. A Melbourne four-piece whose name I failed to hear (twice) warm the stage. They’re all Sylvester the Cat tees, bowties, shaved sides and mop tops, and lone feather earrings. Their sound is the young, naive lovechild of Vampire Weekend and Children Collide. There’s an explosion of rhythm and the result may be likened to the sound of a peacock on acid (in a good way). It’s Ben on drums, Josh on bass, James on lead guitar and vox by Jordan. The collision of instruments on tracks like Crash and Burn (respectively) showcases the band’s potential. Overall, it’s not entirely novel, yet not wholly recycled either.

Don’t Fear The Reaper plays during the break. World’s End Press (Melbourne) burst onstage. Again, it’s all shaved sides and curly mop tops. They sound like sci-fi. The kaleidoscope of sound is almost too electric for this venue. I can imagine their tunes played in small rooms, disco balls; places where bands aren’t required to engage with audiences. Throughout, Rhys Richards (synths, electronics) dances like one funky mother. All around, punters in the crowd have begun to good-naturedly imitate his technique. Style seeps from the pores of bassist Sashi Dharann, who sports a somewhat vintage Sydney 2000 Olympics tee, sleeves cuffed. Drummer Tom Gould keeps everything tight, and the vocals of John Parkinson save the set from entering the ill-reputed world of ‘disco dance’. At times it’s almost like elevator jazz or hotel lobby listening with beats layered thick on top. The band has wet my interest, but only just.

To my delight, Cog play loud, until the sound is prematurely killed and Don’t Fear The Reaper is repeated. Since 2005, Melbourne’s JJJ Unearthed Little Red have been infecting the masses with their unique strain of pop rock at the Big Day Out, Laneway, Falls, Pyramid Rock and Meredith Music Festivals. No strangers to the Triple J Hottest 100, they’ve played with the likes of Kasabian, Vampire Weekend, The Panics and Spoon. Their eclectic sound has been collectively referred to as R&B, soul, rock ‘n’ roll and dance. Tonight this summer festival band plays just the right fusion of pop rock and dance. “It’s great to be back in Radelaide.”

Bassist Quang Dinh rocks a white furry jumper that conjures up images of polar bears, fairy floss and cotton wool. The other boys are all shirts and red or black suit jackets, à la The Hives or The (International) Noise Conspiracy. The Ramones-esque simplicity of their tunes is initially all-embracing to my cochleae. Vocals and layered harmonies by Adrian Beltrame, Dominic Byrne and Tom Hartney respectively are sublime; like a hammer to the head I am struck by the realization that every band member can sing.

Slow Motion from last year’s Midnight Remember is the early highlight; with riffs I don’t remember being there. In My Bed is simple, the melody reminiscent of James Iha’s solo work. Drummer Taka Honda stands on his kit during several tracks, eliciting waves of clapping from the eager audience. The result – accoustically striking.

Tunes are taken predominantly from 2008’s Listen To Little Red ( Coca Cola , It’s Alright , She’s Not The Only One , Fight Song ) and 2010’s Midnight Remember ( Get A Life , It’s Alright ). The majority are synth-rich, filled with hooks, funky rhythms and lovable melodies, and heavily doused with relentless energy. Little Red are less pretentious than bands before them, but at times, their harmonies are reminiscent of the Bee Gees; bordering on lame and leaving me yearning for a little grunt, a little roughness. During these times my attention wanes and I feel like I’m watching a cover band. Thankfully, their new track is promising; I predict much JJJ play.

There’s a predictable absence of crowd-pleaser Rock It from the set; they save it until late, but the climax comes too late and the execution is flat and mediocre. However, under the influence of Strongbow, I imagine the young crowd will be all-forgiving. I ponder as to what it feels like for the band to sing into the face of 50-odd iPhones.

No more than one minute of screaming (not surprisingly) steers the boys back onstage for a two-song encore. We’re at an all-ages gig folks – there’s a schedule to abide by. Nevertheless, as we usher in an unseasonably cold winter and an increasingly likelihood of experiencing a timely bout of Seasonal Affective Disorder, I prescribe one live dose of Little Red, or, failing that, a dozen spins of either LP.

Setlist (which, just quietly, is dated Sydney Metro 10th June, sans originality):
Get A Life
Slow Motion
Forget About Your Man
Place
In My Bed
All Mine
Fight Song
She’s Not The Only One
It’s Alright
Chelsworth
On Your Side (new)
Witchdoctor
Rock It
Lazy Boy

Encore:
Little Bit
Coca Cola