Black Cab @ The East BrunswickClub, Melbourne (01/07/2011

Wed 6th Jul, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Entering the East Brunswick Club, the predominantly black clad sold out crowd was abuzz with anticipation. The room was largely filled out by Black Cab fans of an older vintage, but there was still a smattering of the young, the front area tall guys (“whyyy?”, I overhear a shorter female ask) and of course, the front row teen who bounced and sang along with excitement throughout the whole show. And when I say show, I mean Show. Black Cab are not just a stand in the corner and work through their back catalogue kinda band. They are a group of guys who know what they are doing and do it damn well.

Lights dimmed, a psychedelic backdrop swirled with purple imagery (and later black & white move stills) as electro maestro Steve Law took to the stage with a trancelike electronic intro. He was gradually joined by each of the other 4 members, building to a crescendo as we awaited the arrival of lead vocalist, Andrew Coates. Striding on stage, he calmly took the mic and locked in with the other members for a few minutes until his cue to start. It proved to be a new song, so the die hard fans stood, heads bopping, awaiting the ‘hits’. It wasn’t much of a wait, as Church of Berlin arrived next. A real crowd pleaser in any performance, their delivery didn’t disappoint; a Joy Division sound and infinitely cool stage presence were matched by the deep dulcet tones of Coates’ voice, singing about a church in Berlin. Goth heaven.

Black Angel was similarly well received, while Sexy Polizei was as sexy and deep as ever. Though we weren’t joined by the lovely Monique Brumby on backing vocals, a cheer erupted from the crowd when special guest Ron Peno of Died Pretty fame took to the stage for Ghost Anthems, from the band’s third album Call Signs. A true Melbourne icon, Peno commanded the stage and clearly held the respect of those present in the band room.

Unfortunately, the mix at the EBC seemed a tad muddy at times throughout the night, though it is hard to tell whether that was due to the venue or the missing Simon Polinski behind the desk. Thankfully, however, this didn’t prevent the night from being a success. Latest single Combat Boots, the subject of the evening’s launch, has clearly garnered sufficient radio play of late to prompt a full crowd sing-a-long. Finally, we were treated to an encore of Suicide’s Rocket USA, which somewhat morphed into Died Pretty’s Mirror Blues, before one of a the night’s real highlights: Night Clubbing by Iggy Pop.

As the band waved farewell and the house music came on, we the crowd erupted with applause to show our appreciation for a brilliant evening’s entertainment.