Gyroscope @ The Gov, Adelaide(17/11/11)

Fri 2nd Dec, 2011 in Gig Reviews

With competition from Portishead, taking place only minutes away it was hard to gauge how many eager fans were going to fill the Gov tonight for their own version of Gyroscope’s greatest hits show. But as many were to find out, it seems that Perth’s (former) At The Drive-In apprentices and alternative rock favourite sons still have a special place in the Adelaide supporters’ hearts.

Tonight’s opening slot was handled by local quartet City Riots. While this band seems to have transitioned their sound and look more frequently than most change their underwear, their latest musical endeavour has probably found the four-piece at their most comfortable. This was reflected in the reception which the audience gave the performance also. Critically, City Riots’ formula is just a little too familiar and strategic; write an indie sounding rock song with a catchy repetitive vocal line hook, before the three minute mark add a guitar solo and perform fashionable live moves to it. Finish, start again. Nevertheless it works, and featuring songs from their most recent EP release ‘Matchsticks’, plus some newer jams from the quite overdue album that has been in the works forever, I doubt there were few if any displeased by the performance.

By the time Melbourne’s Closure In Moscow took to the stage, the crowd attendance had doubled and their timing could not have been more perfect. Extravagant front man Christopher de Cinque tights wearing, sometimes borderline vile and conclusively odd stage antics will leave any fan guessing and spellbound. Whether it’s a strange robot dance, slapping his own buttocks, death stares or proclaiming that he will perform oral sex acts on crowd members, it’s this strangeness which shows his utter brilliance and intelligence. The five-piece have been a bit absent of late since their temporary relocation to the USA, but with a new revamped line-up and a new album nearly in completion of writing, they are back and more seductive musically than ever. Their Coheed & Cambria meets The Mars Volta and Circa Survive progressive psychadelic rock sound was eerily breathtaking. Special mention must go to guitarist Mansur Zennelli, whose performance made him seem as if he had an extra two fingers on each hand. Most songs in the set were from their stunning debut album ‘First Temple’, but the new material performed was where the band truly shone. Welcome back Closure In Moscow, Australia has sorely missed your antics.

Whoever thought of the “vote for our set-list” for this Gyroscope tour is a genius that deserves free drinks for life. With The Gov at capacity, this was a celebration of one of Australia’s finest Alternative Rock acts.

With four albums and a large abundance of EPs released to their name, narrowing down a time restricted song selection that would satisfy every enthusiast was an impossibility, but kudos to Gyroscope they almost pulled it off. It’s always a fantastic reminder when one revisits a band in a live setting and they play some of the former anthems, because it just takes you back to triumphant times. Whilst very appreciative to their long time fans and just Adelaide in general, the quartet gave The Gov a night to remember. Tracks included: 1981, Safe Forever, Dream vs. Scream, Fast Girl, Doctor Doctor, Snakeskin, Take This For Granted, Baby I’m Getting Better, Sexxxy amongst many more. A true highlight was their cover of Beds Are Burning by Aussie icons Midnight Oil, as well as the infamous Breed by Nirvana that the four-piece are somewhat renowned for.

Front man Daniel Sanders was commanding in his role and sounding vocally extraordinary, whilst the crew of Zoran Trivic, Brad Campbell and Rob Nassif were equally energetic and charismatic with their presence. The best memory to take from this whole extravaganza was not that Gyroscope were back, but they have never really left.