Airbourne, The Casanovas,Numbers Radio @ The Hi-Fi,Brisbane (17/06/2011)

Sun 26th Jun, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Though they might seem like a slightly strange choice to open up this evening of straight up rock n’ roll, local Brisbane act Numbers Radio’s alt-rock stylings go over a lot better with the growing crowd than this reviewer expected. With all members of the trio supplying vocals, and the impressive guitar work of David Orr punching through the great mix, it’s a strong showing from the young group. Their more punk-influenced material might be a tad predictable, but the more progressive and riff based tunes are extremely ear catching, and with a hugely well received drum solo spot thrown in their closing track they leave the stage with a congregation of new fans.

Although they might have spent a few years doing god knows what, The Casanovas first showing in Brisbane after being the musical wilderness is greeted as if they are headlining The Hi-Fi tonight. Lead by the moustached, wiry guitarist/vocalist Tommy Boyce, the power trio’s sound is much more akin to the main act this evening, and feature an absolutely gargantuan bass tone from fellow vocalist Damo Campbell. The new tracks aired during the set, including The Most Hated Man In Melbourne – which may or may not explain the reason for their disappearance from the spotlight in the lyrics – show that the three-piece aren’t planning on changing their classic rock sound any time soon. A strong cover of Ted Nugent’s Just What The Doctor Ordered at the tail end of the set helps put the exclamation mark on their performance, and if tonight’s support slot is anything to go by, expect The Casanovas to make their faces familiar again across the country’s live music venues.

Are Airbourne the best balls-to-the-wall, foot-to-the-floor rock n’roll band going around the country? Hell, with a huge legion of fans across Europe, the UK and North America, you’d be pressed to find a more exciting live band on the planet. Following up their Big Day Out performances at the start of the year, and also successful run of festival dates abroad, the Victorian lads could play shows like tonight in their sleep. Frontman Joel O’Keeffe’s sweat could probably be bottled and sold as a natural energy super-drug, as the crazed vocalist/lead guitarist effortless leaps around the stage for the entire hour and a half set. Frustratingly equipment gremlins plague their performance, with multiple guitar changes required in the space of one song occasionally, as well as a rather ear-splitting amount of feedback screaming throughout the Hi-Fi consistently throughout the show.

Highlights come thick and fast, with the explosive Chewin The Fat and the bluesy Bottom Of The Well obvious high water marks, but it’s No Way But The Hard Way that provides the night’s biggest sing along, as the packed crowd overpowers O’Keeffe’s vocals during the extended chorus refrain section. While O’Keeffe draws most of the crowd attention with his beer can smashing and wine chugging antics, it’s the rock solid rhythm section of David Roads, Justin Street and Ryan O’Keeffe that keeps the pulse ripping through the band’s veins. Aside from the aforementioned equipment issues – something that’s understandably outside the group’s control – the only downside might be the fact that the show isn’t that much of a difference to their last performance here in Brisbane back in 2010, but the sheer adrenaline and energy that the boys throw into their live show is staggering. Obviously taking a leaf out of Motorhead and Deep Purple’s co-written book by having ‘everything thing louder than everything else’, the sound level is insane, with tonight’s show possibly breaking this reviewers loudest ever gig – a record funnily enough held by Airbourne the last time they played the Hi-Fi.

Loud, fast, energetic, rowdy, powerful, FUN; these words describe what rock n’ roll music is all about, and did Airbourne tick all those boxes tonight? You’re damn right they did.