My Friend the Chocolate Cake@The Thornbury Theatre,Melbourne (25/06/2011)

Tue 28th Jun, 2011 in Gig Reviews

For nigh on 22 years now My Friend the Chocolate Cake, have maintained somewhat of a cult status within the Australian music industry. Sitting somewhat askew of the alternative and folk scenes, they have never met with the commercial success they so desperately deserve. A solid, dedicated fan base has, however, stayed with them throughout the years. Tonight’s gig at the Thornbury Theatre is representative of a expansive seven-album body of work, as well as a pushing forward of the new album Fiasco.

The atmosphere of the theatre is warm and inviting with concert hall acoustics framed by candlelight, perfectly encapsulating the feelings of gentle pleasure and peace brought on by the band’s mood inducing pieces. My only real issue with the venue is the double standard presented in the ticketing. The majority of the hall is taken up with tables reserved for those eating dinner, while the rest of us poor schlobs are left to stand in the back entrance way awkwardly blocking the way of waiters, or out into the (admittedly comfortable) entrance hall couches, where a wall obscures any sight of the band.It’s tough to give an objective overview of a concert when the experience of an is split so decidedly like this and feeling a sense of dislocation, I spend a good portion of the show wandering between standing and seeing and the comfort of the couches (when is someone going to open a seated venue with couches instead of hard wood pews?)

Compositionally, there is no denying the cinematic thralls of My Friend the Chocolate Cake, with the restless dreamlike qualities of tracks like Black Ice. At play is a mix of classical and folk instrumentation (Cello, Violin, Double Bass, Guitar, Drums and Piano) filtered through David Bridie’s gentle pop sensibilities, with his ethereal, slightly rough-edged vocals canvassing emotional and political territory that is brought to the fore by the expert musicianship of the band. His candour is reflective of the dinner setting as well, engaging in banter with his offsider drummer Greg Patten. “Those eating should make sure their knives and forks hit some meat,” wryly reflecting upon the subtle clatter of cutlery.

Lets Go Walk This Town presents more conventional pop balladry than the majority of the set, while the genius of A Midlife’s Tale off the band’s debut album still raises a stir in the crowd. New songs predominate though, such as 25 Stations and Foreigner, which is led by a sumptuous bass part by Dean Addison.

A brief intermission is taken before a second set opens with more energetic fare, including the instantly recognisable instrumental The Romp, Request, Uncle Bill’s Paddock and Home Improvements, before returning to a sombre mood with the semi solo of The Gossip and A Quiet Place. The set closes out with I’ve got a Plan, Lighthouse Keeper and Nanny’s Farewell before the band return for an all too brief encore that includes the off kilter Madang Panic Attack.

Any time you see a My Friend the Chocolate Cake, you are pretty much guaranteed an emotionally diverse and immersive show. It’s just a shame that a few patrons at the Thornbury Theatre weren’t offered quiet the same level of immersion, and I’d hope that in future the venue provides a dedicated area for those content with music sans meal.