The Vasco Era, Papa Vs Pretty,Woe & Flutter @ The Zoo(30/10/11)

Mon 7th Nov, 2011 in Gig Reviews

The Vasco Era and Papa Vs Pretty hit the road together for a big double billed tour and if tonight’s Brisbane stop at The Zoo is anything to go by, it’s a show not to be missed.

Gold Coast locals Woe & Flutter provide a punchy start to the evening with their crunchy garage tunes. A small crowd hover around the bar and pool tables but are clearly enjoying the set from afar. Armed with lots of distortion and a decent knack for melody the band warms the growing crowd towards the end of their set with some of their rockier and more up tempo efforts.

Up first from the double bill is Melbourne’s The Vasco Era who explode onto stage with opener Rock and Roll is the Only Thing That Makes Me Feel Good. The set is a raucous mix of strained yelps, dirty blues riffs and wonderfully scratchy feedback. Drummer Michael Fitzgerald monsters his drum kit throughout, frequently leaving his stool in a supremely energetic performance. Not all distortion and banging drums, the band show real scope with some truly dynamic moments throughout the set. Front man Sid O’Neil comfortably banters with the crowd between songs and remains in a jovial mood, even when quipping how enjoyable a twenty hour drive to Melbourne post set will be thanks to Qantas groundings. The crowd are really brought on side with the mid set double header of Oh Sam and Child Bearing Hips, showcasing O’Neil’s vocals at their raw gravely best. The set is drawn to a close with a stomping cover of the Hendrix classic Voodoo Child. As they leave the stage it is clear The Vasco Era have left a big challenge for their co-headliners to top their set.

Papa Vs Pretty set about the task swiftly with their brand of impressively driven rock. They rip through tracks from their debut effort, United in Isolation, as well as some older tunes. Heavy Harm complete with its complex guitar work go down a treat with the responsive crowd as does the massive Honey. The Sydney group also takes the time mid set to light heartedly put the boot into Qantas. Their set is impressive and clearly enjoyed by The Zoo punters but as it draws to a close there is definitely the feeling that they were mildly outshone by their co-headliners. In any case what the crowd got with this double bill was two sets clearly worthy of a headline slot.