British India, King Gizzardand The Lizard Wizard, DeathBy Dance @ The Zoo, Brisbane(28/10/11)

Mon 7th Nov, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Tonight it is once again Brisbane’s turn to play host to one of Australia’s hardest touring bands, British India. No strangers to The Zoo, the Melbourne four piece put on another powerful set for a highly appreciative crowd.

Gold Coast’s Death By Dance begins this evening proceedings with a patchy set of punk rock tunes. Not helping their cause is a small crowd intent on not leaving their chairs. The set is enjoyable enough until an average cover of Taylor Swift’s extremely average Romeo and Juliet tune Love Story is bashed out, leaving a sour taste in many a punters mouth.

It’s King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard to the rescue as the Melbourne seven piece get hips swinging with their rockabilly tinged surf punk. Their reverb soaked set is filled to the brim with big choruses and rocking harmonica melodies. The loosely filled room shows some appreciation as the curiously named band finish their slot in a noisy haze.

The Zoo continues to fill up and soon enough it’s time for the main event. British India kick off their set with the raucous Black and White Radio followed by the equally energetic This Dance is Loaded. The gig is singer/guitarist Declan Melia’s first show back on guitar after a broken hand, something hardly noticed by a crowd clearly keen to dance their asses off in what little space they are afforded.

The set continues with back to back favourites Run the Red Light and Tie Up My Hands, limbering up the vocal chords of an enthusiastic crowd. Wailing over the top, Melia’s vocals are powerfully raw and a perfect accompaniment to the equally powerful and raw band. New single She Prefers Older Men and Vanilla, both from the bands most recent album are received well. A spirited run through of Harvey Danger’s Flagpole Sitta is the perfect cover choice and something that is equally enjoyed by the band and crowd.

The bands experience shows as they comfortably banter with the audience, even finding time to jam out the opening chords to Wavves’ King Of The Beach. The set comes to a close with the huge I Said I’m Sorry and March Into The Ocean, showcasing the band at their raw emotive best. The band exits the stage and The Zoo is left the way it should be left, a sweaty sticky mess.